Sandra Ford Goodwyn

Sandra Ford Saylor Goodwyn, MAed, BS, a longtime member of the Harlan County Community passed away suddenly March 27, 2024 at the Harlan ARH.

Sandra was born at home in Rockyhill, Kentucky on January 21, 1939 to the late William Fred Ford and Ruby Gordon Taylor Ford.  Sandra was an entrepreneur founding two successful businesses.  She was a teacher, a creative and talented artist, quilter, crafter and gardener. 

Following WWII, Sandra spent some of her childhood living in Oakridge Tennessee where her father worked.  Later, her family moved to Louisville, Kentucky where she was part of the first female graduating class from Male High School.  While living in Louisville, Sandra owned and operated Happy House Day Care Center in the 1960's and 70's.  After the center closed, she worked on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers as a tug boat cook while her husband, Frank Goodwyn, attended law school.   After they moved to Harlan County, she opened Pathfinders for Independent Living, Inc., serving as its director until it closed in 2014 and she retired.  Sandra was an active member of the Harlan County Rotary Club and had a Paul Harris Fellowship.  She was a 67 year member of the Order of Eastern Star, and a majority member of the International Order of Rainbow Girls. 

Sandra was preceded in death by her husband Francis Eppes Goodwyn, Esq, JD, LLM, MA, BS of 48 and half years, her parents, her sister, Sharon Kay Ford Bryant (Homer), her brother, Joe Steven Ford (Carol), and her son, John Bronson Saylor (Cathy).  Sandra is survived by her children, Dr. Stacy Ann Gluchman, DBA, MBA, BSOE (Don), and Andrew Thomas Saylor, MBA, BBA, and step-son Dr. Erik D. Goodwyn, MD, MS, BS (Teresa), nine grandchildren and fourteen great grand children and a host of nieces and nephews. 

In the words of her step-son, "She was talented in many ways, not only with arts and crafts, but infinitely creative in caring for all those she loved.  Her energy was boundless and she cared deeply, always putting others before herself.   She was truly selfless, giving, kind and found beauty in all aspects of life.  She never stopped trying to make life better for everyone she knew."

Please join her family and friends for the Visitation, Monday evening from 4:00 - 7:30 PM at Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home. Eastern Star Services will be observed at 7:00 pm at the funeral home.            

Graveside services will be held at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, April 2nd, at the Rockyhill Masonic Cemetery, Rockyhill, KY With Pastor Mykel Ringstaff officiating. She will then be laid to rest beside of her beloved husband, Frank.