Sandra Mary Chewning

Sandra Mary Chewning, 81, of Tampa, passed away peacefully on 05-14-23. She was surrounded by her beloved husband, all 6 of her kids and some of her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father and mother Aristo and Mary Perez, her brother Tony Perez and her sister Alice Dohogne as well as other family members. She is survived by her husband Roger B Chewning, her children Lisa Demmi (Lynn), Michele Demmi, Robin Demmi Walls, Giana Gerhart (Gregg), Roger L Chewning (Christina), Loren Chewning (Kristi), and her grandchildren Austin Walls, Ethan Chewning, Demmi Gerhart, Easton Gerhart and Reese Gerhart.

She leaves behind an incredible legacy of love and strength. The most important thing to her was her family. She taught her kids what it means to love and to be loved unconditionally. If you were lucky enough to know her, you know she had a big personality and she demonstrated that in the way she loved not just her family but also her friends and even her kids' friends. She was Baby to her husband, Mom or Mommy to her kids, Geema to her grandkids, Aunt Sandra to her nieces and nephews but she was also known as Mama Sandra to a slew of others who were lucky enough to spend time with her, be loved by her, be fed by her as she was an incredible cook who could create an amazing meal with no plan or recipe.

As a single mother, she got her first real job as a bank teller and worked her way up the ranks at Ellis Bank/NCNB/Nationsbank/Bank of America retiring from Bank of America as an Assistant Vice President. It was actually in a banking center where she was the Head Teller/Teller Supervisor that she met the love of her life, Roger, turned to another teller and said, "I just met the man I am going to marry" and she did. At the time of her passing, she and Roger had been married over 35 years. They were always holding hands and together, hated to be separated from each other. Their love serves as an amazing example of the love we all want.

She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy and still maintained friendships with many from her time there. She was proud of her association with Carrollwood Area Business Association and served as President for 2 terms. She was also affiliated for several years along with her husband with Tampa Bay Antique Vehicle Association and had many friends in that group. She loved Jesus and was a member and loyal volunteer at Wellspring United Methodist Church for many years and was a member of Bay Hope Church most recently.

To her family, there was no better wife, mother or grandmother. There will never be anything that can fill the hole she has left in our lives.

She and her husband had adopted beloved dogs from Guardian Angel Dog Rescue.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by clicking this link: www.gadr.org

and clicking the Donate button.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, June 3rd from 2-5pm at Blount & Curry, 3207 W Bearss Avenue in Tampa.