Floyd "Sonny" Sands Sr

Floyd “Sonny” Sands Sr, 88, of Watts, Oklahoma passed away peacefully on Friday, December 13, 2024 at the Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

Sonny was born March 31, 1936 to the late, Tom and Nannie Sands. He had an appreciation for the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and hunting any chance he could. He was a great storyteller of the good ol’ days. When he wasn’t outside, you could find him indoors watching the OU Sooners play. He took pride in his Cherokee heritage and was a fluent Cherokee speaker. He lived a full life and his family is what brought him the most joy. 

He leaves behind a loving family that includes his 4 children, Anna Balmain of Watts, Oklahoma, Floyd Sands Jr of Chewey, Oklahoma, Sharon Sands of Lincoln, Arkansas, and Steven Sands of Kansas, Oklahoma; 4 siblings, David “Hed” Sands, Woodrow “Red” Sands, Tommy Sands, and Charlene “Gaya” Pickup; grandchildren, Ethan Sands, Tal Sands, Nancee’ Chuculate, and Amanda Morris; great grandchildren, Nv-Ya Jackson, and Fletcher Morris; and many other loved ones.

Preceding him in passage is his beloved wife, Geraldine Sands; daughter, Tammy Hilderbrand; two sisters, Geraldine "Sister" Turtle and Nancy "Pug" Kihega; and brother, Scott McLemore.

One of Sonny’s favorite things to say to his loved ones was.. There is no word for “goodbye” in Cherokee. Instead, we say “donadagohvi” which means, “'til we meet again.”

Sonny’s funeral will be held at the Edify Church in Chewey, Oklahoma on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 2:00PM. Pastor DJ McCarter will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Sands Cemetery in Chewey, Oklahoma.

Pallbearers will be Jonathan Fain, Chad Murray, William Leach, Cody Caughman, Brett Manning, and Dee Turtle. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ethan Sands, Tal Sands, Bobby Blossom Jr, and Bill Hilderbrand. 

The arrangements are entrusted to Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Siloam Springs, Arkansas. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.backstrom-pyeatte.com.