Sandra "Sam" S. Whittaker, 81, of Sanger, Tx passed on to Heaven on March 21, 2023. She was born in Ashley, Illinois on March 6, 1942, to Howard and Wilma (Moran) Whittaker.

She grew up in Ashley Illinois ,a small rural town, with her large loving family. In a hurry to start a life of adventure, left high school to move to Florida. She met the love of her life, a Sgt. In the USAF, Rouglas Gessner of Mankato, MN, they were married in 1964, immediately deployed to Japan. While in Japan the welcomed their only child – Barbara in 1965. Service life took them to Hawaii, Puerto Rico,and Lousiana. Upon his deployment to Vietnam, She and her daughter settled back in Illinois to be close to the "Whittaker" clan. Rouglas passed in 1976, leaving her to provide and build a life for the two, a business owner, and she obtained her GED, graduated Kaskaskia College with honors with an Associates degree in Criminal justice. When her daughter pursued an airline career, with her love of adventure and travel, she was all too happy to encourage her career choice. Upon the marriage of her daughter to Thomas Baker in 2004, she moved to Denton and made fast friends. She loved being with her Daughter and son in law, her 4 legged grandson-Lewie, her family, friends, traveling, garage sales, Winstar and bluegrass music, especially loving to hear Tom play his banjo. She fought the tough fight against cancer, COPD, and heart disease bravely and with humor. She is free and her soul is in heaven.

Welcoming her home, Her husband, Rouglas, Mother & Father, Sisters – Ronnie, Mary, Linda and her brother Jim. Countless friends that she considered family.

She is survived by her Daughter & Son in Law, Barb & Tom Baker, Sisters Merilyn Hogan,Judy Morgan, GrandChildren Max & Kate Baker, Taryn & Malcomb Hill, Lewie Baker – Nieces, Nephews, extended family and friends.

Visitation Saturday, April 1, 2023 9:30am – 10:30am in the Chapel of Deberry Funeral Directors, Denton, TX. Homecoming Service to follow. Interment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park, Denton. The family will hold a reception from 1:00pm – 4:00pm Denton Women's Club, 610 Oakland, Denton.

Sandra "Sam" has requested no sad black attire, the more colorful the better! In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Paluxy River Bluegrass Association, a non-profit organization that provides a network of fans, musicians, promoters, venders, and other people dedicated to preserving and promoting Bluegrass and Gospel music in Glen Rose and the surrounding area. 606 S. Wilhite Street, Cleburne,TX 76031