Sandra Jean Stafford Lusk, age 78 of Avery County, NC, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025.
She was the daughter of the late William “Bill” Stafford and Ruby Burleson Stafford.
Sandra was a lifelong member of Yellow Mountain Baptist Church, where she faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher, pianist, treasurer and activity director. Throughout her career she was dedicated to her work and enjoyed every student under her care as a teacher in the Avery County School System. She also earned a master’s degree in education and later in her career, she was the Director of Continuing Education at Mayland Community College, where she worked closely with Avery County EMS and Fire Departments to further their education and training in various fields. Her love for her community and passion for helping others left a lasting impression on countless lives.
She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Ray Lusk; her daughter, Laura (Jon) Crowe; her granddaughter, Jillian (Jessie) Willis; her brothers, Ronnie (Teresa) Stafford, Kenny (Roberta) Stafford, and Ricky (Linda) Stafford; a special niece, Linda McKinney Taylor, and a special nephew, Jared Stafford; as well as several other beloved family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 24th, 2025, at Yellow Mountain Baptist Church in Spear, North Carolina. The family will receive friends and loved ones prior to the service for visitation from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Yellow Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery in Spear, North Carolina. Pastor Dustin Dellinger and Pastor Bill McGuire will be officiating.
Serving as pallbearers are Jon Crowe, Neil Stafford, Kenny Stafford, Jared Stafford, Jessie Willis, and Mark Lusk. Honorary pallbearers include Ronnie Stafford, Ricky Stafford, Lawrence Jones, and Robert “Nub” Taylor.
Special thanks are extended to Kella Phillips, Freida Woodring, and Lisa Harmon Gaddy, and the compassionate team at Hospice of the Blue Ridge in Spruce Pine for their loving care and support.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Blue Ridge at 236 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.
Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Lusk family.
To send an online condolence please visit: www.holcombebrothersfuneralhome.com
