Biography:

Funeral Service

Thursday, May 11, 2023—12:00PM

Owens Funeral Home Chapel

216 Lenox Avenue New York, New York 10027

Reverend Conrad Tillard—Officiating

The Harlemite, lover of art, purveyor of music and all things Afro centric.  Saundra Hamilton was the product of the low country and a union between Ella Roscoe and Johnny Hamilton of Beaufort, South Carolina. With the support of her maternal grandmother Maggie Brown she flourished under the love of her family.

Sandy as she was affectionately called, attended Public School 122 and graduated High school from Theodore Roosevelt High school in the Bronx .  Afterwards, Sandy continued her education at The Borough of the Bronx Community College, she acquired an undergraduate degree from Hunter

University in New York City.  She furthered her education at Columbia University and she acquired a Master’s degree in Social Work. Saundra was a long term employee at HUD (Housing and Urban Development) of the federal government, from which she retired after 23 years of service.  During this time Sandy became an avid traveler and had annual visits to Mexico and Jamaica.  She also visited destinations such as Maroc, France, Cote D’ Ivoire and England among other places.

Saundra met and married Abou Toure at Smalls Paradise where she worked as a waitress . This union produced a daughter, Stephanie Toure whom they both loved.

Sandy collected art, music, books; and cultivated a space where all forms of art were displayed. Her adult life was spent in Harlem which she adored dearly. Her favorite hobbies were reading, tennis and spending time with her grandchildren. Sandy’s legacy is 449 LA where her heart lies. 

Her memory is carried on by her loving children Stephanie, Ladji and Brahima, devoted brother Charles, companion Abou and Grand and great-grand children Oluchi, Nakoma, Shah, Emoni and Kehlani.  She further leaves behind a cherished friendship with the late Joyce Dukes-Shaw and her extended Memphis family.