Life’s RefLections

“She is clothed with strength and dignity…Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

— Proverbs 31:25, 31

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Sandra Gunn James blessed the world on July 25, 1952. As the firstborn of R.B. Gunn and Essie Mae Taylor Gunn’s three daughters, Sandra proved to be a self-sufficient leader who not only cared for her parents and younger sisters—Deborah and Rosalyn—but for all those who knew her. Sandra’s self-determination was instilled in her by Essie, whose discontent with the Jim Crow South’s brutal realities inspired her to become an integral part of the Great (Northward) Migration. Eventually, Essie and the girls settled in Boston—a pivotal decision that set the course for self-perseverance for the Gunn family and future generations.

Sandra attended Boston primary and secondary schools and quickly became known as the Glamour Girl. Affectionately dubbed The Queen, The Dorchester High grad’s impeccable style—flawless makeup, trendsetting fashions, and head-turning mane attractions—didn’t go unnoticed. Yet her inner spirit rivaled her allure—joyful, kind, fun, and strong. As a teen, she met her first love Lee Shephard with whom she shared their daughter Ericka Gunn-Hill. Still, Sandra’s autonomy inspired her to seek better opportunities for her only child. In 1979, she followed her baby sis Deborah to the “City of Angels,” launching a successful Cosmetology business. Los Angeles offered everything she hoped for—enriching opportunities to nurture and enhance Ericka’s acumen for math and science. An investment that would later earn Ericka her Spelman College and Morehouse School of Medicine degrees—accomplishments that Sandra rightfully boasted about her “doctor-daughter.”

At 33, Sandra would encounter the first of many health challenges, including open heart surgery. Nearly eight years later, she would open her heart again to her late husband, John James, whom she divorced in 2002. Furthermore, she faced adversity and, at 49, suffered a paralyzing stroke. Despite her disability, Sandra’s tenacity remained. Learning to walk and talk again never diminished her essence. In fact, Sandra continued to spread love and uplift others when they needed it most. One minister can attest to her intuitiveness: “The moment you spoke to Sandra, she could change your perspective—always reminding you who you were and what you had. She was a living testimony of the Goodness of God and sharing His Light.” And on any given Sunday, one could witness her worshipping God from the church’s front pew.

Because of her spiritual connectedness, Sandra never met a stranger, embracing and blessing everyone with her warmth and words. Some believe her speech was limited, but Sandra’s family and loved ones believed her positive vocabulary (she could only utter “thank you,” “wonderful,” “beautiful,” “good to see you” and “pretty”) was a gift. Ericka agrees: “It was such a blessing that all of the words she spoke were positive and her favorite being ‘wonderful.’”

When Sandra wasn’t praising or creating cool paintings and jewelry, she was a doting mother and Grandmother (she even spoiled her granddog Scout). She is survived by her devoted daughter Ericka Gunn-Hill, loving mom Essie Gunn, beautiful sisters Deborah and Rosalynn, beloved grandchildren Imara McIver and Brandon Ellison Hill, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends of devotion and distinction.