Sandra Jean Girdler

Sandra Jean Girdler, 68, of Columbia, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Thursday, 21 May 2026. Born as Sandra Jean Jayne on 20 April 1958 to Galen and Athalie (VerBryck) Jayne in Mesa, Arizona. Known as Sandy by friends and family, she graduated with honors from West Wood High school in 1976. In September of 1980, she enlisted in the United States Army as a 68W, Combat Medic, serving ten years active duty before transitioning to the South Carolina Army National Guard in 1990 where she deployed for Operation Desert Storm. She retired with the rank of Sergeant First Class in 2015 after proudly serving for thirty-four years.

While stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, she earned her Associate of Science with honors from Hawaii Pacific College in 1987. After relocating to South Carolina, she continued her education, receiving her Licensed Practical Nurse diploma from Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College in 1994 and an associate degree cum laude in Nursing from Midlands Technical College in 1997, becoming a Registered Nurse later that year.

Outside of work, you could find her gardening, reading a good book in her hammock, watching the hummingbirds from the back porch, or cheering on her favorite teams (Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers) during football season. Sandy loved animals, growing up in a household that viewed pets as members of the family and leaves behind her beloved greyhound, Raisin.

Sandy is survived by her daughter, Sydney Parker of Columbia, SC. She is preceded in death by her parents, Galen and Athalie; her older brother, Dean E. Jayne of Kingman, AZ; her maternal grandparents, Sigler and Mina (Blemle) VerBryck of Bradford, PA; and her paternal grandparents, Fred and Susie Jayne of Wyalusing, PA.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal rescue or charity of choice.

A private burial for close friends and family will be held at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, SC.