Sandra Fowler Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Sandra Fowler
Start: 2019-04-27T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Sunrise Presbyterian Church

Sandra Fowler SULLIVAN'S ISAND - A longtime Civil Rights leader, who also served for 25 years as director of the Florence Crittenton Home in Charleston, Sandra Fowler, 79, of Sullivan's Island, S.C., died Apr. 10, 2019 after a long illness. Ms. Fowler was born Nov. 2, 1939 as the daughter of Florence Gibson Noonan and John Alexander Noonan of Savannah, Ga. She earned a B.A. degree from Furman University and pursued graduate studies at the College of Charleston, The Citadel and University of South Carolina. Having worked as a reporter for the Greenwood Index Journal, a newspaper in Greenwood, S.C., Ms. Fowler moved to the Charleston area. In her first year teaching at the former Laing High School in Mt. Pleasant, she was recognized state-wide as the first white teacher to integrate public schools. She also taught at Mt. Pleasant's Moultrie Middle School and at C.A. Brown High School, in downtown Charleston. Ms. Fowler served as president of the Charleston County Democratic Women organization for two terms. In recognition of her work integrating schools, Ms. Fowler was appointed to the S.C. Human Affairs Commission by Gov. Jim Hodges. In 2008 Ms. Fowler was presented with the Dr. Kate Waller Barrett Lifetime Achievement Award by The National Crittenton Foundation in Washington, D.C. She was selected for membership in Leadership South Carolina and served as president of the Charleston Co. Library Board, 1979-80. Ms. Fowler also served on the boards of the Cannon Street YMCA and of Creative Spark Center for the Arts in Mt. Pleasant. In 1998, she was invited to relate her experiences working to integrate area schools as part of a program celebrating the first Martin Luther King Holiday observance held at the College of Charleston's Sottile Theatre. A long-time member of Sunrise Presbyterian Church on Sullivan's Island, Ms. Fowler served on the church's board and taught in its Sunday School program. She was also extremely instrumental in getting the church, totally destroyed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, rebuilt on its original site. She is survived by two sons, Adam Arthur Fowler and Pack Gibson Fowler of the Charleston area, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Ms. Fowler was formerly married to the late James B. Fowler. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 3222 Middle St., Sullivan's Island. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Apr. 13 to Apr. 14, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Sandra Fowler

11 Entries

Ms. Elizabeth LaBar

April 7, 2022

Dearest Sandra:
I treasure the memories of our time spent together. You inspire me to be better still. XO

Elizabeth LaBar

April 7, 2021

On the second anniversary of Sandra's passin, I am asked to share another memory of my time spent with her. There are many. All of them rich with meaning, humor, love, kindness and fortitude. She continues to reside in my mind and heart. The seeds of her virtues have been planted in the gardens of those she knew. I am better having known Sanda Fowler!

Elizabeth LaBar

April 8, 2020

Miss Sandra you are thought about, in our hearts, and missed.

Martha Gunter

April 16, 2019

What a smart, kind and inspiring friend! I have missed your happy companionship for several years as you faded from us. "Free, free at last" dear Lady! What a privilege to know and love you. Your fine sons have a beautiful Mother to emulate.

Brenda Horne

Sent Flowers

Neila Cary

April 15, 2019

We have lots of wonderful memories to keep our hearts full. The foursome is together now in heaven.
God bless you all.

Bonny Luthy

April 15, 2019

Our deepest sympathy on the passing of Ms Fowler. We feel so grateful to have known her through Sunrise and as a client of Office Express. She was so lovely, kind, generous and smart. Sorry to miss her Memorial as we are out of town.

Kelly Irvin

April 15, 2019

I was fortunate to have experienced Sandra's gift of communicating with others. Her grace among strangers made such an impact on me. She was so confident attending events and social functions, holding out her hand, "Hi, I'm Sandra Fowler". With her genuine interest for others, her greetings often resulted in an immediate connection. Sandra always had something interesting to share or discuss.

Her spirit of adventure can compare to few. My visits were always comprised of exciting excursions. Auntie Sandra and her VW van, in the wind! If she read about an event that seemed appealing, she would be there. From a day trip to Savannah to living in a Castle in Scotland. She lived life with no fear that allowed her such meaningful experiences. So grateful for our times together.

Linda & Gary Frank

April 14, 2019

We had no idea all the wonderful things Sandra accomplished in her life. She will be missed.
Former members of Sunrise Presbyterian Church

Judy Selby

April 14, 2019

Sandra did not talk the talk but she walked the walk. Always striving to make the world a better place, she was indeed an activist. I got to know Sandra through our mutual friend, Martha Gunter. I remember the three of us going to Sumter one weekend years ago to celebrate Martha's birthday with her mother, Lucinda. The world is certainly a better place because of Sandra's let's get it done attitude. And I am honored to have known her. There is a new angel in heaven right now, and I hope she can know rest and peace. Thanks, Sandra, for the example you set for all of us.

May flights of angels send thee to thy rest. XO

Elizabeth LaBar

April 14, 2019

How does one describe Sandra Fowler? She was so kind and genuine to each person. She was genuinely concerned for those she knew and even those she did not. She strove to make a difference and she did more than most will ever attempt. She did not seek recognition but she was loved by many. I was lucky to have known her. She was/is and angel.

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