Sandra "Sandi" Ryan Rathke

Sandra “Sandi” Ryan Rathke went to be with her Lord on march 12, 2018 at her home in Damascus, Va after a courageous battle with dementia.
Sandi was born on 9/12/1949 at Fort Shelby Hospital in Bristol, Virginia. She lived most of her life in Bristol and the Meadowview Virginia area. She graduated from Patrick Henry High School, Glade Spring, VA in 1967. After graduating from the William H Neff Trade School she moved to the Shenandoah Valley where she met the love of her life, Bruce and in 1978 they married and raised their children in Broadway, Virginia.
While living in Broadway, Sandi was able to stay at home while her children were young and was an in home childcare provider. When her children were all of school age she volunteered at John C. Meyers Middle School in the special education department as well as the music department. She had numerous job opportunities through the years with Home Interior Designs and Rainbow Vacuum sales, where she opened her own office in New Market, Virginia. Before she retired in 2011 she found her niche for insurance and worked for over a decade at Black and Morris Insurance Agency in Broadway, Virginia.
Sandi is proceeded in death by her parents James “Watermelon” Ryan and Frances Findley Ryan, her brothers Pat, Jimmy and Rufus Ryan, and the love of her life Bruce.
Sandi is survived by her greatest gifts of all, her children: Christian Rathke and wife Crystal of Maryland, Mark Rathke and wife Susan of Bridgewater, Va, Beka Jordan and husband Tony of Broadway, Va, and Libby Sours and her husband Ike of Damascus, Va; her grandchildren, Ryan Ratliff, Hunter Ratliff and wife Morgan, Karmin Jordan, Taylor Rathke and Cecilia and Mya Rathke. Sandi is also survived by her “baby” brother John Ryan and wife Rita of Abingdon, Va as well as many special nieces, nephews and cousins.
Sandi and her husband provided a safe and loving home for many children and young adults that crossed their doorway. They treated these individuals as their own and selflessly provided a safe haven for them, showering them with love and support in a Christian environment.
A special thank you to the individuals at Caris Healthcare (hospice) in Bristol, Va for their compassionate and professional service, especially Mercedes, Kimberly and Jennifer.
The children of Sandi would like to extend a special heartfelt thank you to Libby for selflessly caring for our mother while making many sacrifices to ensure our mother had the best care and remained comfortable at home the last few years and especially during her final months.
A public viewing will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday March 15, at Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon, Va. The body will be cremated and a celebration of life will be held at Old Glade Cemetery, Glade Spring, VA at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 17.
The family asks in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Niswonger Childrens Hospital, 400 North State of Franklin Road, Johnson City, TN 37604.
Sandra “Sandi” Ryan Rathke and her family are in the care of Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).