Sandra Kay VanPool, of Sikeston, MO., went to be in heaven Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was 81.

She was born Aug. 28, 1944, in Peoria, Il, to the late Lester Earl and Loretta Elliott. On June 15, 1962, she married Charles Edward VanPool, who preceded her in death on April 22, 1991.

Her family remembers her as a strong, independent woman who loved gardening, tending to her cats, and spending time with her family. Her hobbies included sewing, cooking for her family, and she especially cherished time with her great-grandchildren. To know Sandra, or "Granny," as she was lovingly called, was to love her.

She is survived by a daughter, Janella (Doug Carter) Pigg; three sons, Edward (Susan) VanPool, Timothy (Elizabeth) VanPool, and Paul (Melanie) VanPool; her grandchildren, Joshua VanPool, Jacob (Morgan) VanPool, Heather Gonzalez, Ryan VanPool (Kali) Charles Carter (Jasmine), Taylor (Drake) Kesler, Cody (Dezeray) VanPool, Madison VanPool (Craig); her great-grandchildren, Carlos, Jaidyn, Alaric, Addisyn, Zander, Elliott, Wrenley, Turner and Rafe; and her brother, Lester K. (Eileen) Elliott.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son in law, Doyle Gene Pigg.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2026, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. Gary Teague will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery at Sikeston under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.