Sanford B. (Sandy) Campbell, Jr.

Sanford (Sandy) Bailey Campbell, Jr., 87, of Valdosta died at his residence on Friday, August 5, 2016. He was born on May 11, 1929 in McCormick, South Carolina and moved to Waycross at an early age. He developed his love of God and music attending First United Methodist Church and while participating in the Waycross High School band program. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a member of the United States Air Force 545 Band. Mr. Campbell attended Georgia Teachers College (Georgia Southern University), completed his Master's Degree in Instrumental Music at Vandercook University and studied at Florida State University in the Doctorate Program. He arrived in Valdosta in 1966 after 18 years as a band director at Quitman High School, Brooks County High School and Cairo High School. His move to Valdosta was to develop an instrumental program in the music department at Valdosta State College that resulted in the first Valdosta State College Band. One of his greatest successes was establishing the Governor's Honors Music Program in Macon. Upon leaving VSC, he opened Sandy Campbell Music Center serving the musical community throughout South Georgia for 26 years. He has been an active member of Valdosta First United Methodist Church for 50 years and served his churches through the years as a member and director of their choir programs. He was an original member of The Singing Americans and Botie Chitty's Traveling Dance Band in the 60's & 70's, 'Ole Spokes Motorcycle Club rider, Phi Mu Alpha Music Association, Ga Music Education Association, First Chairman of the Georgia College Music Education Association and the Georgia & National Music Dealers Association. He was a member of the Valdosta Chamber of Commerce & had served as Chairmen of the Valdosta Downtown Association. He was a Rotary Club member for 59 years and was a Paul Harris Fellow and awarded the Will Watts Fellow Award.
After retirement he turned his interests toward hybridizing daylilies. He was a member of the Georgia and National American Hemerocallis Society receiving the Tom Wise Service Award, a Georgia Daylily Flower Show & Garden Judge, a judging instructor and a member of the Valdosta Daylilly Club. He most recently enjoyed supporting The Azalea Winds Community Band.
Sandy also enjoyed traveling and camping but his greatest rewards came from providing for his wife, Billye of 63 years and family which provided him much joy. He looked forward to holidays and birthdays when he could catch up with his children, grandchildren and his "greats"! He was a Christian witness to his family and friends and enjoyed a fulfilled life.
Survivors include his wife, Billye Lucille Alford Campbell of Valdosta; three daughters, Linda Campbell of Panama City, Florida; Sandra Holt of Newnan, Georgia; and Carrie Clifton of Hoover, Alabama; two sons and daughters-in-law, Sanford III and Angelica Campbell of Peachtree Corners, Georgia; Brant and Marile Campbell of Smyrna, Georgia; nine grandchildren and their spouses, Alise and Chris Cartledge of Newnan, Georgia; Kirk and Kristin Holt of Newnan, Georgia; Rob Clifton, Andrew Clifton, and Will Clifton all of Hoover, Alabama; Miriam and Bailey Campbell of Peachtree Corners, Georgia; and Caroline and Brantley Campbell of Smyrna, Georgia; two great-grandchildren, Celia "CeeCee" Cartledge and Finley "Fin" Holt both of Newnan, Georgia; a sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Randy Gorday of Waycross, Georgia; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Imogene Hatfield.
Services for Sandy Campbell will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 8, 2016 at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Bob Moon officiating. The burial will take place in the McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 4-6 p.m. at Carson McLane Funeral Home. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the prayer garden fund at First United Methodist Church. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602