“If there’s a heaven for me, I’m sure it has a beach attached to it.” Jimmy Buffet.

Just days before her 60th birthday, Sandra (“Sandi”) Michelle Thompson of Crossville, TN, passed away in Spring City, TN, on April 21, 2026. She was born in St. Augustine, FL, on April 25, 1966, the daughter of the late Charles Francis Erke and Linda Cheryl (Keeny) Hacker. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Timothy (“Tim”) Thompson; her son, Timothy Joseph (“TJ”) Thompson; and her brother, Charlie Erke.

Sandi never let disability define her. Although blind for most of her life, she was good at reminding people that blindness does not equal dumbness. She graduated from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine. She later attended nursing school. She made the most of life, enjoying the outdoors and family — spending time at the beach and fishing were among her favorite pastimes (hence the Buffet quote above). Her health circumstances often could be seen as lemons, but she made lemonade and inspired others to do the same.

She is gone too soon, and her passing leaves a huge hole in the lives of those who loved her. Sandi is survived by her sister, Julie A. Overton (Scott G. Overton, Sr.); her stepdaughter, Alisa Thompson; her grandchildren, Tyler Thompson and Makayla Tollett; her mother-in-law, Jeanette Thompson; and sisters-in-law, Betty Mills and Linda Blondheim. She is also survived by a host of extended family—including nephews who were like her sons—and friends.

The family will announce plans for a memorial service in Florida later. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in Sandi’s memory to the Marfan Foundation.

Please share your memories and photos of Sandra on her online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, TN.