"Brother Oldham and Family, The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord will bring you comfort and peace. You are continually in our thoughts and prayers. With sincere condolence, Minister Douglas Hairston and Family"
In loving memory of
Sondra Marie Oldham
November 8, 1934 - May 3, 2020
Sondra Marie Oldham, affectionately known as "Sanky" age 85 passed away on May 3, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Sondra was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Edward and Edna Mae Young Carson on November 8, 1934. She graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in 1952, then from Indiana Central College (now University of Indianapolis) with a BS in Elementary Education in 1956. Sondra married Willis "Buzzy" Earl Oldham on June 22,1958. From this union two children were born, Kim Elaine and Kevin Earl. Continuing with her education, she earned a MS in Education from Butler University in 1964.
Sondra began her career as an elementary school educator in the Indianapolis Public School System in 1956 at IPS #29, then on to #17 where she was the first African American teacher, continuing her career at schools # 32, 76 and 67. In 1987 she moved to #90 to teach 4th grade academically talented students which was the highlight of her teaching career until her decision to retire in 1990. Sondra worked tirelessly to ensure her beloved students would work at their highest potential; even teaching summer school for several years. As an educator she impacted the lives of many students. Many of her former students sent her gifts during the holiday seasons. She has maintained several of those gifts over the years (especially the Christmas ornaments). Sondra was well respected by her colleagues. She was a supervising teacher for a number of student teachers and served on many professional committees, notably, the Academically Talented Advisory Committee, the Young Authors Planning Committee, and the Reading and Mathematics Textbook Adoption Committee. Educating students was surely her calling.
Following retirement, continuing the theme of service, Sondra decided to pursue another passion, her interest and concern for the aging community. She accepted a position at IU School Medicine as a Neuropsychology Research Associate for the Indianapolis Study of Health and Aging focusing on the local African American Community which she held for approximately six years; an endeavor she truly enjoyed.
As a lifelong, active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Sondra sang in the Greeters choir, a member of the Trustee Board, a member of the R.T. Andrews Scholarship Commission Board, and faithfully served Zion in numerous capacities over the years.
Sondra was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. in 1958 and has remained an active member for over 50 years. One of her notable achievements was coordinating the partnership between the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the local Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a young family. Passion for community involvement also lead her to co-found the first girl scout troop at her daughters' elementary school.
Sanky was a founding member of her beloved ladies "social club" The 13 Hearts, which began in 1959 and is still going strong today. She served as the "treasurer" since inception. Her "Hearts" are truly going to miss her.
She also enjoyed social activities as a member of the Moles-Indianapolis Chapter. This affiliation gave her and Buzzy an opportunity to socialize with dear friends.
Sanky enjoyed traveling, cooking, meeting with friends, spending time with her family, among many other interests. Her guilty pleasure was regular appointments at the nail and hair salon. And her pride and joy - her granddaughter Shelby. As a spiritual soul and avid reader, she enjoyed all topics of the bible. To broaden her knowledge, she joined Bible Study Fellowship, an organization dedicated to helping people know God and equip them to effectively serve the Church.
Sondra is preceded in death by her mother Edna Mae Young Carson, her father Edward Carson and stepmother Shirley Carson.
Sondra is survived by her spouse Willis "Buzzy" Earl Oldham, son Kevin Earl Oldham of Indianapolis IN, daughter Kim Elaine (Geary) Brown of Acworth GA and beloved granddaughter Shelby Elaine Brown of Acworth GA, as well as many family members and countless friends.
The family of Sondra Marie Oldham wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the physicians and nurses at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, and to the staff of Crown Hill Funeral Home.
Tributes
"Willis, please accept my sincerest condolences. May the Lord bless you and your family with peace and comfort during this time."
"Always a lovely woman of God. A woman of style and grace. Soror Sandra had a kind and loving heart. Offering prayers for Mr Oldham , Kim and Kevin. Your loved one will be missed. Gayle Frink Johnson"
"I will never forget Sanky's kindness. May God give her eternal rest and give Kim, Kevin, Buzzie and Shelby the strength to bear the pain. Jean Brown"
"I will miss this dearly loved sorority sister. May you be comforted by a God who loves us all."
"Sending prayers, love and support to Willis, Kim and Kevin during this difficult time. "
"Sending you love and condolence from the Williams families sorry for your lost"
"Sanky was my friend for over 60 years. We laughed together, cried together, travelled together and we enjoyed life together. I have fond memories of our times together. We loved to eat, you could say that we were foodies. We were in several organizations together ? The 13 Hearts, Indianapolis Chapter of the Moles and the Circle City Classic Hospitality Committee. Sanky was the epitome of organization. In fact, Sanky was so organized that she was the only one to ever serve as treasurer of the 13 Hearts. She was a woman of deep faith. I will miss my dear friend. I take comfort in know that she is now a beautiful flower in God?s garden in Heaven. "
"Sis. Oldham was a beautiful person. A woman of very few words but powerful with every word spoken! Thank you for your support of the Ministry and always ready to do whatever you could to help. You will be truly missed. My prayers go out to the entire family, May God Comfort and Keep you is my prayer! Min. LeWana Britt and Sis. LaRushia Jones"
"We are so thankful to have known Sondra Oldham. Willis, Kim and Kevin you have our deepest sympathy. Our years at Mt. Zion included worshiping with you at church and singing with you in the Mt. Zion Greeters. Sondra, Kim and I also shared precious memories in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Sondra was a beautiful lady and she will be missed. Brenda and E. J. Lorthridge"
"I remember Sanky as being a person who always made me smile. She was a very warm and caring soul. I didn?t see her a lot over the past several years, but when we did see each other it was always a joy. My prayers are with her family at this time of bereavement."
"Mr. Oldham and family, your loss I shared among the community as Sondra was a wonderful lady and great positive company. She will be missed, we?ll cherish her memories of love, kindness and sweetness. May God Bless you and the Family! "
"Mrs. Oldham was always so sweet when I called. She was truly what all women should aspire to be. She was kind, smart , intelligent and always willing to help. She will truly be missed"
"I will always cherish wonderful memories of Sanky. I have known her for over 40 years. She was my sorority sister and we almost shared the same birthday- hers November 8th and mine November 11th. In the last few years we often saw each other and chatted at or favorite nail salon. She was truly a sweet, sweet spirit! May God richly bless her family. She is now safe in the arms of Jesus!"
"We thank your family for sharing you with us down through the years.. You were always a beautiful lady inside and out. Lovingly, Emmett & Ruthanne Jones"
"Dear Mr. Oldham and Family, I will truly miss Mrs. Oldham. She was the kindest person I have ever met. She always wanted to know how I was doing and if she could do anything for me. I really enjoyed our conversations when I would see her or call the house. Peace, Love and Prayers Angeleta Beverly, Service Coordinator for Mt. Zion Suburban Apartments"
"Dear Brother Oldham and Family, "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." ! Corinthians 15: 54 - 57 Comfort comes in knowing that death is not the end. Sister Sondra died in Christ. She will live eternally. Love, comfort, and prayers, Sister Beulah Jordan"
"Soror Oldham was the epitome of style & grace. I treasure the wisdom & knowledge she bestowed upon me as well as her unspoken push for me to be the best Delta I can possibly be. Grand will forever be in my thoughts as well as in my heart! Prayers up for my Spec Kim and family during this most difficult time! God loved her most!"
"In honor of my surrogate mother, Sondra "Momma Sanky" Oldham.... You were my friend, confidant, Soror, & earthly Mother. Thank you for loving me and my boys, thank you for your example of a phenomenal Christian Woman, thank you for your constant encouragement and pearls of wisdom, thank you for including me and the boys at family meals and holiday celebrations, thank you for showing me what a good Delta looks like. Thank you for Just Being You! I will always cherish our relationship and will honor your legacy by looking after your "fellas". Loving you forever...Your Other Daughter, Luita "Weedie" Williams"