Sandra “Sandy” McCready, 60, of Butler Drive in Suffolk, passed away at home, April 6, 2016, from congestive heart failure and a long battle with diabetes.

She was born Oct. 8, 1955, in Portsmouth to the late David Wade and Joyce Bond Story.

Sandy attended schools in Portsmouth. She was a member of the Nansemond Indian Tribe, where she took on many roles including longtime secretary, Tribal Council member, powwow committee, manager of the Nansemond Indian Tribe museum and gift shop, and native dancer. Sandy was also on Nansemond Indian Mattanock Town project from the beginning in 2001. Sandy retired as a school bus driver in Suffolk and Portsmouth, and also was the manager of Take-a-Break store in Chuckatuck.

Her hobbies were making Native American jewelry, especially bead work, and researching and making Native American crafts. Her work can be seen at the Nansemond Indian Tribe display at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. She also shared her native heritage in many local schools, clubs and organizations in full native regalia. She was also an active part of animal and bird rescue.

Sandy was a member of Living Waters Christian Fellowship, Chesapeake, where she was a Sunday school teacher and helped with the bimonthly food distribution. Sandy was also a 4-H Volunteer.

Survivors include her husband, William “Chuck” McCready, two sisters, Joyce Zollars, of Suffolk, and Carol Aldridge (Robert), of North Carolina, and many nieces and nephews. She also loved her many dogs and horses as family members.

Sandra will be cremated, and a memorial service will be held at Living Waters Christian Fellowship, 2700 Gum Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321, with the Rev. Nelson F. Fields Jr., Saturday, April 9 at 11 a.m.

The service will be a celebration of Sandy’s life, as we know she is in heaven with her Lord and Savior.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Nansemond Indian Tribe Association (NITA), 1001 Pembroke Lane, Suffolk, VA 23432, or to Living Waters Christian Fellowship, 2700 Gum Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321, Building Fund.

Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.