Dr. Sandra Faye Mack

One of her favorite Bible passages was Corinthians 13:1-7 NKJV.

She also liked The Dash Poem by Linda Ellis.

Sandra Faye Miles Mack was born on August 15, 1939, in Denton Texas. She was the first of three children born to the union of Monroe Benjamin and Wilma Delores Miles. The family relocated to Seattle, Washington where she received her early education graduating from Garfield High School. Sandra was baptized and attended church with her parents. She later joined First African Methodist Episcopal Church. She enjoyed being the big sister and always looked after her brother Monroe Jr. and her sister Wilma. They were very close and enjoyed family gatherings as much as possible. She is preceded in death by both parents.

Sandra met the love of her life, Daniel Javah Mack. She enjoyed telling the story about their love at first sight, and how he walked her home from school each day because she was not old enough to ride in a car with a boy. The couple united in holy matrimony on September 27, 1958, at First African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Seattle, Washington. They celebrated 64 blissful years together. They found pleasure and indulged in joint activities. They were blessed with a wonderful family, two beautiful daughters Sherri and Lori, and a special son, Ronnie. They moved their family to San Jose, California in 1968. After retiring from their careers, they relocated the family to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2000. Sandra loved her family and enjoyed spending quality time with them. She was the proud grandmother of three wonderful grandchildren Kamilah, Al’Nisa and Jamel Howard. Sandra’s life was not without trials and tribulations as she endured the loss of her oldest daughter, Sherri. She was also faced with the illness of her youngest daughter, for whom she continued to care, until her health no longer permitted.

The family attended First African Methodist Episcopal Church, in North Las Vegas. They joined Fountain of Hope African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was closer to their home, on the opening day in November, 2002. She rendered services and shared her talents as a member of the Board of Trustees (Secretary), the Bettye J. Allen Women’s Missionary Society (1st Vice President and Parliamentarian), and the Lay Organization (Secretary). She was instrumental in assuring the success of several outreach programs. She was truly a missionary and had resources to accomplish the goals of the church ministries.

Dr. Sandra F. Mack retired as a High School District Administrator in San Jose, California, prior to moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. She worked in the field of education for over thirty-five years and taught at all levels including Elementary, Secondary, Adult Education, Community College, and University. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington; a Master of Arts Degree in Administration and Higher Education from San Jose State University in California; and a Doctorate of Education Degree in Educational Management from the University of La Verne in La Verne, California.

Dr. Mack was very involved in community service in San Jose and received many honors, awards, certificates and plaques from several organizations, the mayor, and elected officials. She transferred her membership in many of those organizations to chapters in Las Vegas.She served three four-year terms on the National Board of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBW). She was one of three organizers of the Silicon Valley Chapter in San Jose and the organizer and Chartering President of the Las Vegas Chapter, serving the Interest Group for two years (2002–2004) and elected President of the chapter for four years (2004-2008). She was re-elected as President of the Las Vegas Chapter, and she was re-appointed to serve on the National Board as the Parliamentarian until her passing.

Dr. Mack was a Registered Parliamentarian (RP) and a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP). She was the National Parliamentarian (2012 -2016) of The National Bowlers Association (TNBA), the oldest bowling organization and the largest sports organization founded by African Americans. She was re-elected as Parliamentarian and served until her passing.

She was a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Las Vegas Alumnae Chapter, and a member of Delta’s National Leadership Academy from 2008 – 2013, which does leadership training at the Regional Conferences and the National Conventions. She was a past President of the Alpha Omicron Chapter in Seattle, Washington, and the San Jose Alumnae Chapter. She recently served as Parliamentarian of the Las Vegas Alumnae Chapter, until her passing.

She was a charter member and past President of the San Jose Chapter of The Links, Inc. She served three terms as President. She also served four years as The Links, Inc. Western Area Program Coordinator. She was an Alumnae member of the Las Vegas Chapter. Dr. Mack served as President of the Las Vegas Urban League Guild (2008–2012 and 2014 – 2016).

She was a Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). She was a member of many other organizations, community groups and local committees, too numerous to mention. The community was truly blessed by Sandra’s efforts and willingness to help somebody.

Sandra departed this life on Monday, January 9, 2023. Those left to cherish her legacy are her devoted husband Daniel J. Mack; daughter Lori; son Ronnie; two granddaughters Kamilah and Al’Nisa and grandson, Jamel Howard; brother Monroe (Sylvia) Miles Jr., sister Wilma Miles; sister in-law Katie Softli; a niece, many nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.