10/08/2026
Celebration of Life for Sandra Ruth Stephenson-Henry
Service
October 8, 2026. 11:00 a.m.
NEW COVENANT CHURCH
132 Texas - 21
Bastrop, Texas 78602
Sandra was born on September 11, 1956, in Gilmer, Texas, to Sammie Stephenson and Agnes Ruth Spears. She had two brothers, Sammie Lee Stephenson Sr. (deceased) and Joe Louis Boothe (deceased), and two sisters, Nannie Rose Beard (deceased) and Eloise Beck. At the age of 11, her mother passed away, and Sandra moved in with relatives in Los Angeles, California. Years later, she met J.D. Henry, married, and had one child, Ursurla. Over the next twelve years, Sandra lived in Los Angeles, Kansas City, Missouri, and Longview, Texas, before finally making Austin, Texas, her home in 1984.
It was in Austin where she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior after hearing the Gospel preached by the late Bishop Roland James Allen. Sandra was an active member of New Covenant Church under the leadership of Bishop Eddie E. Willis, Sr. She faithfully served in the nursery, on the Fundraising Committee, on the Banquet Committee, on the Caller’s Committee, and with Operation Christmas Gift. Her home was always open to those in need, as well as to many children through her in-home daycare, Our Place Childcare. She held a deep love for children with disabilities, particularly those with autism. To ensure she provided them with the best possible care, Sandra furthered her education in Child Development at Austin Community College. She is survived by and leaves to cherish fond memories: J.D. Henry; her only child, Ursurla Banks and husband Charles Banks Jr.; her sister, Eloise Beck (and husband James); and sister-in-law, Margie Nell Stephenson; her grandchildren, Charles Banks III and wife Brianna, Aurora Banks, Audra Banks, Sebastian Banks, and Ti’Anna Mitchell; her great-grandchildren, Zoey Banks, Natali Banks, and Myles Andry-Banks; her nieces and nephews, Stephanie Stephenson, Mariahm Stephenson, Sammie Lee Stephenson II, Sandra Stephenson Powell, Kanzola Beard, Niccoletta Beard, Jiovanna Beard, Trevor Beard, Roy Beard and wife Sonya, Agnes LaRosa Boothe and husband Logan, and Joseph Boothe Jr.; as well as a host of great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, dear friends, and Pastor Eddie E. Willis, Sr. and the New Covenant Church Family.
