Sandra Ann "Sandy" Thibodeaux

Breaux Bridge - With heavy hearts and great sadness, her family announces the peaceful passing of our beloved Sandra Ann "Sandy" Thibodeaux, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Saint Bernard Catholic Church, in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, for Sandra Ann Thibodeaux, 80, with interment following the service at Saint Bernard Cemetery and Mausoleum #2. Sandy will be laid to rest beside her beloved father and mother: John Alcus "Naco" Thibodeaux and Evelyn Marie "Nin" Guidry Thibodeaux and her brother: Ronald John "Ronnie" Thibodeaux.

A visitation will take place at Pellerin Funeral Home in Breaux Bridge on Monday, July 8, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. followed by a eulogy. Visitation will resume on Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.

She is survived by her sister, Cheryl Rae Thibodeaux Zimmerman, her husband, Erich David Zimmerman, and their children: Christian David Zimmerman and Crystal Rae Zimmerman, all from Knoxville, Tennessee; a niece, Amy Carol Thibodeaux of Groves, Texas, and a nephew Michael John Thibodeaux and his wife Ashley and their daughters: Brielle Marie Perry-Thibodeaux, Julia Marie Thibodeaux, and Zoë Marguerite Thibodeaux, all from Utah. 

During World War II, her father and her mother were stationed with the United States Army in Oregon. Sandy was born at Corvallis, Oregon, on September 25, 1943, and was baptized there on November 5, 1943. After the war, the family moved to Groves, Texas. 

Since she was raised speaking French, Sandy's first grade teacher translated lessons into English until Sandy transitioned to her "new" language and excelled at her schoolwork. Graduating from Bishop Byrne High School, she then graduated from Port Arthur Business College, becoming a proficient medical secretary. Before long, Sandy enrolled at Lamar University to become an elementary teacher, graduating with honors on both her Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Education-working her way through her college days the entire time-on the Dean's List 1971-1976; graduating in the Top Ten Percent of her Class of 1976; and was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society as well as the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She taught kindergarten and primary grades for the next 26 years in Texas and then Colorado. She retired in 2009 and moved, along with her brother Ron, to Knoxville, Tennessee, to rejoin her sister Cheryl and her family.

During the summer months away from teaching, Sandy and her brother, Ronnie, owned and operated their own transport company-Marathon Express Inc.

Her family was always proud of all her achievements and was amazed by her bravery; but most of all, her loving dedication to her family.

Sandy's joy in life was her beloved family, celebrating family traditions, and chasing the sun in all the travels they shared together. She will be remembered for happy smiles and loving ways-and her adventuresome spirit! She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Je t'aimerai toujours! Love you big as the sky! -'til we meet again!

Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.