Obituary of Sandra Kay Crisp

Sandra Kay (Davis) Crisp After a prolonged period of declining health, Sandra (Sandy) Kay (Davis) of the Ela Community made the transition to her heavenly home on January 5, 2023. Sandra was a native of Raleigh, North Carolina born February 10, 1944, to Harry Lee and Mattie Lee Davis of Raleigh. Sandra was a graduate of Needham Broughton High School (Raleigh) and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Norwich University (Vermont). Sandra is survived by her husband, Swain County native, David E. Crisp: daughter Katherine McCain (husband Scott McClain) of Lancaster, South Carolina; grandson BJ Campbell of Charlotte, North Carolina; and granddaughter Hollie Powers (husband John) and great grandson Elijah Coy Powers of Raleigh North Carolina. Sandra was proceeded in death by her parents Harry Lee Davis and Mattie Lee Davis (Raleigh) and Sister Janice Thompson (Youngsville, North Carolina). Sandra’s ancestors moved to the United States from German in the early 1800’s. She dearly loved and was so proud of her family. Although she traveled quite a bit with her work, she looked forward to the time she could spend with them, primarily the holidays especially Christmas. She was a gifted crafts person and an avid artist, primarily watercolors and acrylics. In addition to her family, she loved her pets, numerous dogs and cats found a home with her. In her work she was “driven to achievement.” Sandy’s career spanned a period of over forty years beginning with North Carolina State University Transportation Department, then to University of North Carolina Medical Center, and on to Duke University Student Services Center before moving to the North Carolina Division of Alcohol, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health within the Department of Human Resources (today’s North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services). She was a member of a multi-disciplinary team developed the initial Driving Under the Influence (DUI) policies for North Carolina. In 1993, she began employment with the Financial Section of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), later transferring to FEMA’s Disaster Operations Division, responsible for coordinating federal disaster support and assistance to disaster victims and accompanying damaged geographical areas until retirement. While with FEMA she was deployed to national disasters such as the 9/11 World Trade Center Terrorist Attack, Loma Prieta Earthquake, North Ridge Earthquake, and numerous meteorological catastrophic disaster incidents (hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods) in each southeastern state. Sandra brought happiness and joy to many and will be sorely missed by family and friends. Funeral Services were held January 10, 2023 at the Chapel of Crisp Funeral Home.