Kathy Sandlin White’s “wonderful life” on earth came to end on August 5, 2018, two years following her diagnosis of metastatic, triple negative breast cancer. Born on November 4, 1952 in Florence, AL, Kathy moved to Trussville nearly forty years ago and became a meaningful part of her community. After her initial diagnosis of breast cancer in 2001, Kathy dedicated much of her personal and professional life to raising money and awareness for breast cancer. With her family, she created “Turn Trussville Pink” and coordinated it for over a decade. She was also instrumental in the creation and operation of the AKW Foundation, the non-profit organization behind “TTP”. Her purpose was to use her circumstances, story, and talents to glorify God and to make a difference in the lives of others. Even after losing her husband to brain cancer, Kathy continued forward in her journey, demonstrating with actions and words that, “all things work together for the good of those who love Him” Romans 8:28.
Earlier in life, Kathy attended Bradshaw High School in Florence and was a very gifted and talented interior designer. While in Florence, she opened, owned, and operated First Impressions for several years. When Kathy moved to Trussville, she continued her career as an interior designer, eventually working as a private consultant for many years in Trussville and surrounding cities.
Kathy did not view her diagnosis of cancer as a “battle” and did not view her death as a “lost fight”. She ran her race with endurance, and told others to simply “believe”, even in the midst of pain. Kathy will be remembered for her energy, her creativity, and her servant’s heart. Her granddaughters will forever remember their “K-Way”, who taught them to “enjoy the journey” and “remember the little things.”
Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Audie Victor White, and her father, J.H. “Buddy” Sandlin of Florence. She is survived by: her son, Joshua (Brittany) of Trussville; her daughter Shayna Swann (Brandon) and granddaughters: Sarah Kate, Anderson, and Camille, all of Trussville; her mother, Sarah Sandlin of Florence; her sister, Cindy Schuessler (John) of Florence; her brother, Clay Sandlin of Gulfport, MS; her brother, Jimmy Sandlin of Huntsville, and a host of relatives and friends.
The family will welcome guests for a visitation at Deerfoot Memorial Funeral Home at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 10th. A Celebration of Life service honoring Kathy will be held at the same location on Saturday, August 11th at 2 pm. Burial will follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens. The service will be officiated by Rev. Blake Jenkins, and pallbearers will be Marty Friedman, Eric Merrill, Rolando Diaz, and Mike, Zack, and Luke Charles. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Turn Trussville Pink at www.turntrussvillepink.com.