Sandra Jean (Smith) Lips entered the presence of her Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the age of 72—a day filled with hope and resurrection, perfectly fitting for a woman of such unwavering faith.
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 24, 1952, Sandy was the first child of Roland and Glenda Smith. She grew up alongside her beloved siblings, Janet and Randy. In 1961, the Smith family moved to Hollywood, Florida, where Sandy would go on to attend Hollywood Hills High School.
Sandy’s life was marked by both love and loss. She married Jerry Browning in 1969 and was widowed shortly after. In 1971, she found love again and married Allen Lips. Together, they recently celebrated 53 joyful years of marriage—a testament to their enduring bond.
Sandy was a devoted mother to her two daughters, Rhonda and Renee, and later earned the cherished title of “Mom-Mom” from her grandchildren. She embraced motherhood wholeheartedly, and once her girls were grown, she joined Allen in the family photography business. What began as helping in her parents’ company evolved into Sandy and Allen opening a photography business of their own.
Guided by her deep faith, Sandy found her true calling in sharing the message of Jesus Christ. She devoted over two decades to teaching preschoolers at Calvary Christian and Potential Christian Academy, where since 2008, she nurtured the hearts and minds of 3K and 4K children. Her impact in the classroom stretched far beyond academics—she poured love, faith, and compassion into each little soul.
Sandy’s talents were many—she had a gift for cake decorating, party planning, and crafting—but her greatest joy came from teaching the Bible. Her faith never wavered, and she lived it out daily, gently guiding countless family members and friends closer to the Lord.
She is now reunited in Heaven with her parents, Roland and Glenda Smith; her first husband, Jerry Browning; her in-laws; her nephew, Jeremy Smith; and many others who went before her.
Sandy leaves behind a legacy of love and faith in the hearts of those who survive her: her devoted husband, Allen; her daughters, Rhonda Tremblay (Paul) and Renee Millo (Luis); her grandchildren, Cody, Taylor, Kasey, and Maddy; her sister, Janet Seymour (Pete), and their sons Robert (Jessie) and Ron (Kristen); her brother, Randy Smith (Mary), and their daughter Brittany; great-nieces Brooke, Alice, Eleanor, and great-nephew Mason; brothers-in-law, Sheldon Lips (family) and George Lips (family) and her husband Allen’s extended family; mother-in-law Joanne Browning, affectionately known as Grandma Cindy; and her treasured chosen nieces, Stacey, Jodi, Ami, and their families. She is also survived by other relatives and friends.
We rejoice in the promise of eternal life, comforted in knowing our beloved Sandy is now at peace in the arms of her Savior.
Please join us for a Memorial Service with Pastor Craig Stephens on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 4:00 PM at City Rev Church, 21113 Johnson Street, #120, Pembroke Pines, FL. A Celebration of Life will follow in The Fuge.
To honor her lasting impact, Potential Christian Academy has established the Ms. Sandy Lips Scholarship, which provides tuition assistance to families seeking a Christ-centered education. Sandy was deeply honored to know her legacy of love and learning would live on in this way. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the scholarship at: Ms. Sandy Lips Scholarship – Potential Christian Academy, Cooper City, Sandra Lips Scholarship Memorial Donations
Arrangements entrusted to Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, University Drive Chapel.
City Rev Church
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