Dr. Sandra Kay House, age 81, of Springfield, Mo passed away on June 22, 2024 in the comforts of her home. Sandra was born to Dee Ward and Dwight Lyle on February 23, 1943 in Springfield, Mo. She graduated from Parkview High School. Sandra took part in beauty pageants in hopes of attaining scholarships to go to college. Her beautiful and kind hearted personality shown through and she won the crown in Ms. Missouri, Ms. Dixie and Mrs. Missouri. This led to an interview with a very handsome disk jockey at the old KICK. There was definitely a spark but she was too young, so their love story would have to wait. Years later, they were set up on a blind date and the rest is history. After he won her heart she was truly devoted to him through 60 wonderful years of marriage. Cliff House married Sandra in Springfield, Mo on January 26, 1964. They both graduated with their PhDs and began teaching. Sandra taught drama at Hillcrest high school for 16 years where she directed numerous musicals. They built their beautiful dream home together in 1976 where they would start their family. In 1978 they welcomed their first child, Jonathan followed by Heather in 1981. Sandra loved teaching but took 10 years off to be with her children. When she eventually went back to work she taught at Kickapoo High School. She had a passion for her students and wanted them to not only be sussessful in theatre, but also develop skills to be confident and creative in all aspects of their life. She later became a professor at MSU where she taught public speaking. Sandra accomplished so many amazing things. She was a recipient of an award for the outstanding speech teacher in Missouri, she cut the ribbon opening interstate 44, and was the alumni President for MSU. The accomplishment she was probably most proud of was directing and producing two Christian movies alongside her husband. Sandra also worked with numerous charities and she volunteered at her daughters’ school (even when her daughter was the classroom teacher and no longer the student). She was a loving mother and everyone’s biggest cheerleader. She had a vibrant personality and was full of joy every day of her life. She lit up every room she walked in with her light that shone from her love of Jesus.
Sandra loved helping others in any way that she could. She loved being at the beach surrounded by God’s creations. She enjoyed flowers of all kinds, sewing, swimming, fishing, playing “Tile”, going on dates out to eat and to the movies with her beloved Cliff and attending all activities or events her children and grandchildren were in. Nothing brought Sandra more fulfillment than being with her family, and going to church every Sunday. She was a faithful member of 1st Baptist Springfield for over 30 years and served in many churches including River Bluff Fellowship where she became a member in 2017. She and Cliff traveled many parts of the world and were blessed with many unique experiences. Most will fondly remember Sandra for her welcoming smile, encouraging words, her generosity and her kind, positive, uplifting, and loving soul.
Sandra was preceded in death by her father, Dwight Lyle, her mother Dee Ward and step father Max and brother Ron Ward. She is survived by her loving husband Cliff; Son Jonathan House and wife Stephanie; Daughter Heather Larbey and husband Jesse; Grandchildren, Alicia and husband Tyler, Michaela and husband Gabe, David, Ben, Izzy, Haven, Jett; Great grandchildren, Urijah, Judah; brother Gerry Ward and wife Veronica, sister-in-law Michelle Ward and many more family and friends.
Memorial funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, July 1, 2024 in River Bluff Fellowship, 2655 E. Farm Rd 188, Ozark, Missouri. Visitation will be 1:00 P.M. Monday until service time in the church. Arrangements under the care of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, Missouri. Online condolences may shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com.
Condolences(8) -
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Debbie Brooks Riffel says
June 25, 2024 at 8:37 pm
I learned so much from this sweet, beautiful, precious lady. Her memory was always incredible because as many students as she had over the years she always seem to remember each one of us each time she saw us again. I will miss knowing that she is in this world but I know she knew Jesus so this is just really the beginning. My sincerest condolences to Cliff and her family and friends. đź’–
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David Greg Taylor says
June 25, 2024 at 8:53 pm
I was Mrs. House’s student in high school. Had her for Freshman English and painted many theater sets for her over four years. You are universally loved Mrs. House. You and your family are in my prayers. RIP, dear Teacher.
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Michael Butcher says
June 26, 2024 at 10:02 am
I can’t say how sad I am to hear of Sandra’s passing. She was a wonderful light in this world and a true witness for Christ. It was an honor to know her, and I will always appreciate how supportive she was of my work. I know that she touched so many lives for the good, and we are all grateful. Sandra will be missed by all that knew her.
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Cheryl Heffner says
June 26, 2024 at 10:59 am
Dr. House was an amazing lady and my favorite teacher. I had her for theater at Kickapoo in the late 90’s and she was a shining light of grace and joy. I’ll always remember the lessons she taught us and I am so glad to have known her. My condolences to her family and friends. She was an absolute treasure that will be missed.
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Pamela Morris Senti says
June 26, 2024 at 6:11 pm
Sandra will always have a special place in my heart. I was one of her first students at Hillcrest. She was a wonderful role model. She was strong, intelligent,
creative, talented, compassionate and so energetic….but most of all she was kind.
She guided me in High School, through college and my beginning years in teaching. I will always be grateful for her presence in my life. She made a difference in the lives of so many.
My sincere condolences to the family that she loved so much.
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REPLY
Shirey VanHook says
June 27, 2024 at 2:53 pm
I was also one of Dr. House’s first students at Hillcrest. She was a wonderful teacher and made “drama” so much fun. She was also my daughter’s teacher at Kickapoo. Dr.House encouraged my daughter to pursue a theater major in college.
I always loved visiting with her at our reunions and times I would see her around town. She was an important teacher in my life and my daughter’s.
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Debra McDowell says
June 29, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Sandra was a wonderful colleague at Missouri State University, friend, and confidant. She was truly a beautiful representation of a strong Christian woman who lived out her faith and inspired her students and friends through her words and actions.
Sandra led through love and care. She was paramount in inspiring the next generation of Christian women as an advisor for the Gamma Alpha Lambda chapter at Missouri State. Her elegance, dignity and poise in mentoring women to be leaders was phenomenal. She totally exemplified Proverbs 31: 25-26.
This beautiful lady will always live in our hearts.
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REPLY
Robert Gibbons says
June 30, 2024 at 5:48 pm
Dr. Sandra House was one of the most important people the Gibbons family ever knew. She was such a dear friend to Robert Gibbons Sr. (1943-2020). They were both born only two weeks apart. They both attended elementary, Jr High and High School together. graduating in 1961. In elementary school they went to a party together because Robert was the only boy Sandra’s mother trusted enough to take her. They both worked on the play “All Hams on Deck” at Parkview. Sandra had Sally Anderson (eventually Sally Gibbons) in her first Drama class and even awarded her actress of the year. Sally said her theater teacher at Drury told her he couldn’t teach her anymore after how much and how well Sandra taught her. Robert Sr. would eventually marry Sally and they had Robert Jr. Sandra and Cliff House would have Jonathan House Cliff, Sandra, Jonathan, Robert Sr, Sally and Robert Jr were involved with the movie Fox Fire Light filmed in Branson and Springfield in 1982 starring Leslie Nielson. Robert and Jonathan would attend Mrs. Tackie’s preschool class at King’s Way UMC. They would meet again in the 7th grade clarinet section of band at Pershing Jr High. They would also attend Sophom*ore through Senior year at Kickapoo High School together graduating in 1996. Sandra also had Robert in her Drama 2 and Drama 3 class and the musical director of “Guys and Dolls”, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Oklahoma”. In 2014 and 2017, Cliff and Sandra asked Robert Jr. to assist with two Christian Independent movies “Heaven Won’t Wait” and “Date with the Eclipse”. Robert Jr. helped with sound and made several cameos. Robert Jr often attended Life’s Journey and River Bluff Fellowship with the House family. Sandra was a great friend to Robert Sr for many decades. She was also a great mentor and friend to Sally Gibbons and Robert Jr. She encouraged Robert Jr. more than anyone he ever knew. She always expressed the fruits of the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. She emphasized having moral character. She was a light to the world. She exemplified the gospel and sacrificed worldly rewards to serve her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was the true example of Royalty, a true Queen. She will be missed deeply and greatly by the Gibbons family.
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REPLY
Debbie Brooks Riffel says
June 25, 2024 at 8:37 pm
I learned so much from this sweet, beautiful, precious lady. Her memory was always incredible because as many students as she had over the years she always seem to remember each one of us each time she saw us again. I will miss knowing that she is in this world but I know she knew Jesus so this is just really the beginning. My sincerest condolences to Cliff and her family and friends. đź’–
REPLY
David Greg Taylor says
June 25, 2024 at 8:53 pm
I was Mrs. House’s student in high school. Had her for Freshman English and painted many theater sets for her over four years. You are universally loved Mrs. House. You and your family are in my prayers. RIP, dear Teacher.
REPLY
Michael Butcher says
June 26, 2024 at 10:02 am
I can’t say how sad I am to hear of Sandra’s passing. She was a wonderful light in this world and a true witness for Christ. It was an honor to know her, and I will always appreciate how supportive she was of my work. I know that she touched so many lives for the good, and we are all grateful. Sandra will be missed by all that knew her.
REPLY
Cheryl Heffner says
June 26, 2024 at 10:59 am
Dr. House was an amazing lady and my favorite teacher. I had her for theater at Kickapoo in the late 90’s and she was a shining light of grace and joy. I’ll always remember the lessons she taught us and I am so glad to have known her. My condolences to her family and friends. She was an absolute treasure that will be missed.
REPLY
Pamela Morris Senti says
June 26, 2024 at 6:11 pm
Sandra will always have a special place in my heart. I was one of her first students at Hillcrest. She was a wonderful role model. She was strong, intelligent,
creative, talented, compassionate and so energetic….but most of all she was kind.
She guided me in High School, through college and my beginning years in teaching. I will always be grateful for her presence in my life. She made a difference in the lives of so many.
My sincere condolences to the family that she loved so much.
REPLY
Shirey VanHook says
June 27, 2024 at 2:53 pm
I was also one of Dr. House’s first students at Hillcrest. She was a wonderful teacher and made “drama” so much fun. She was also my daughter’s teacher at Kickapoo. Dr.House encouraged my daughter to pursue a theater major in college.
I always loved visiting with her at our reunions and times I would see her around town. She was an important teacher in my life and my daughter’s.
REPLY
Debra McDowell says
June 29, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Sandra was a wonderful colleague at Missouri State University, friend, and confidant. She was truly a beautiful representation of a strong Christian woman who lived out her faith and inspired her students and friends through her words and actions.
Sandra led through love and care. She was paramount in inspiring the next generation of Christian women as an advisor for the Gamma Alpha Lambda chapter at Missouri State. Her elegance, dignity and poise in mentoring women to be leaders was phenomenal. She totally exemplified Proverbs 31: 25-26.
This beautiful lady will always live in our hearts.
REPLY
Robert Gibbons says
June 30, 2024 at 5:48 pm
Dr. Sandra House was one of the most important people the Gibbons family ever knew. She was such a dear friend to Robert Gibbons Sr. (1943-2020). They were both born only two weeks apart. They both attended elementary, Jr High and High School together. graduating in 1961. In elementary school they went to a party together because Robert was the only boy Sandra’s mother trusted enough to take her. They both worked on the play “All Hams on Deck” at Parkview. Sandra had Sally Anderson (eventually Sally Gibbons) in her first Drama class and even awarded her actress of the year. Sally said her theater teacher at Drury told her he couldn’t teach her anymore after how much and how well Sandra taught her. Robert Sr. would eventually marry Sally and they had Robert Jr. Sandra and Cliff House would have Jonathan House Cliff, Sandra, Jonathan, Robert Sr, Sally and Robert Jr were involved with the movie Fox Fire Light filmed in Branson and Springfield in 1982 starring Leslie Nielson. Robert and Jonathan would attend Mrs. Tackie’s preschool class at King’s Way UMC. They would meet again in the 7th grade clarinet section of band at Pershing Jr High. They would also attend Sophom*ore through Senior year at Kickapoo High School together graduating in 1996. Sandra also had Robert in her Drama 2 and Drama 3 class and the musical director of “Guys and Dolls”, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Oklahoma”. In 2014 and 2017, Cliff and Sandra asked Robert Jr. to assist with two Christian Independent movies “Heaven Won’t Wait” and “Date with the Eclipse”. Robert Jr. helped with sound and made several cameos. Robert Jr often attended Life’s Journey and River Bluff Fellowship with the House family. Sandra was a great friend to Robert Sr for many decades. She was also a great mentor and friend to Sally Gibbons and Robert Jr. She encouraged Robert Jr. more than anyone he ever knew. She always expressed the fruits of the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. She emphasized having moral character. She was a light to the world. She exemplified the gospel and sacrificed worldly rewards to serve her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was the true example of Royalty, a true Queen. She will be missed deeply and greatly by the Gibbons family.
Leave a Condolence
Previous Janel Clough
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