of Memphis, TN
May 26, 1946 - October 25, 2023
Lucy Elizabeth (Von Kanel) Sands, 77, of Memphis, TN died peacefully on October 25, 2023 from ovarian cancer, a disease she had bravely fought six times in the last nine years.
Lucy was born in Helena, Arkansas and graduated from Helena's Central High School. She earned her nursing degree from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in 1967 and practiced as a registered nurse in Tunica, Mississippi until the birth of her daughter in 1972. A devoted mother and active member of her community, Lucy was a long-time Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher and school volunteer. She later opened Latham's, a clothing and gift store which she ran for almost twenty years. After closing Latham's, Lucy became a bank teller with First Security Bank and eventually relocated from Tunica to Hernando, Mississippi.
Over the years, Lucy enjoyed a wide range of hobbies such as woodworking, crafting, sewing, gardening and seasonal decorating, but her absolute favorite activity was spending time with her granddaughter.
In early 2018, Lucy retired and moved to Memphis to be closer to her beloved granddaughter. During her time in Memphis, Lucy loved being a resident of Town Village Audubon Park, an independent living community, where she enjoyed spending time with friends, dancing and serving on the new resident welcome committee. Lucy spent her final months at The Brightmore of East Memphis' Memory Care facility where she quickly endeared herself to the nurses and staff.
Lucy was an incredibly vibrant and cheerful woman. She always had a smile on her beautiful face and a tube of Pink Peony lipstick close at hand. With her kind, caring and fun-loving nature, Lucy never met a stranger and made everyone she met feel special. Her strength and ability to maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity and illness was amazing to witness and helped those around her remain strong and optimistic as well.
Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, Sam Von Kanel and Floy Von Kanel Polk; her brothers, Samuel "Bo" Von Kanel and Clifford "Cooter" Von Kanel and friend, Carroll Ward. She is survived by her daughter, Kim Sands Coggin (Jay); her granddaughter, Lilly Coggin; ex-husband, Richard Sands and friend, Orville Lonvick.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5296 Park Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 at 10:00 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Lucy loved color, so the family encourages everyone attending the funeral to wear something colorful in celebration of her life (purple, turquoise, teal, blue and pink were her favorites!).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Lucy's name to the Sally Tillmanns Ovarian Cancer Research Fund c/o the West Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 382638, Germantown, TN, 38183-2638 or online at westcancerfoundation.org. The Sally Tillmans Ovarian Cancer Research Fund was founded by Lucy's wonderful oncologist, Dr. Todd Tillmans in honor of his own mother who also passed away from ovarian cancer. Your gift to the Fund will support medical research designed to find new drugs and therapies to better treat and hopefully cure ovarian cancer.
To order a DVD copy of this video memorial, please contact our funeral home at + 18707351000.
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10 Condolence(s)
Florence E Hall
Friday, January 12, 2024
My cousin Lucy, what a beautiful person. My condolences to her family.
Seth Gentry
Sunday, November 12, 2023
So very sad to learn of this. My deepest condolences, Kim. Memories of Aunt Lucy from my early youth are still vivid, and all such memories are happy and cheerful. And those are the two words that come first to mind when I think of Aunt Lucy.
Helen and Bob Johnson
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
We are so sad to hear of Lucy’s passing. She was always a ray of sunshine and could brighten anyone’s day! We always loved spending time together and crafting and enjoying watching you, Kim, grow and the sweet things you would do. Please know that I miss her and she was the most amazing and wonderful person and will always be in my heart. Love to you and your family!
Peggy Montgomery Wiggins
Saturday, November 4, 2023
I knew Lucy from our times at Central High School. She was very pretty and outgoing. She had a wonderful personality. I know she will be missed by many. Prayers for her family. She is in the nailed scar hands now.
Marti Shannon Green
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Oh the memories I have spending time with you and your family Kim. Spending the night at your house. Having dinner, laughing at jokes… working at Latham’s wrapping presents at Christmas. All the memories…too many to recount are so cherished. Your mom will truly be missed. I love you Kim and miss you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your sweet family.
Ronnie Smith
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Lucy lived next door to my parents in Hernando. She was always so sweet and kind to them. She was a wonderful neighbor and a blessing to those who knew her.
Carol Kizer
Friday, November 3, 2023
I loved my cousin, Lucy. She was everything i wanted to be when I grew up. Spending summer at her home was the delight of my childhood. I will truly miss her.
Toni Canon
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Praying for your family
I have many fond memories with Lucy from yours and Marti’s childhood.
Phil and Gilberte Clay
Saturday, October 28, 2023
I am so sorry to hear of Lucy’s passing. We went to school with her. She was such a sweet person. We are praying for her family.
Bo Sands
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Aunt Lucy always had a big smile on her face.