News Summary
Sandra Hunt O’Meara, a beloved musician and mother from Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully while singing hymns. Known for her powerful soprano voice and dedication to music, Sandra’s journey began in a music-loving family. She shared her talents in church and cared deeply for her family and community. A memorial service will be held to honor her contributions to music and her legacy of love.
Houston, Texas
Sandra Hunt O’Meara, a cherished musician and devoted mother, passed away peacefully while singing hymns, leaving behind a legacy of love and musical talent. Born on November 5, 1934, in Ranger, Texas, Sandra’s remarkable journey began in a family deeply rooted in music and community.
The daughter of Dola and Clayton Hunt, Sandra’s early years were spent in various locations before the family settled in Houston. There, they became active members of Melrose Baptist Church, where Sandra’s musical abilities began to flourish. After graduating from Reagan High School, she went on to study at Baylor University and Rice University.
Sandra’s musical journey started at the tender age of 12 when she began taking piano lessons. Her exceptional talent became evident as she accompanied her father on the trombone and sang in church. By the age of 16, she was already serving as a church pianist, showcasing her ability to play music by ear and read sheet music. Over the years, she became known for her powerful soprano voice, with popular performances including the hymn “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and the moving piece “The Holy City.” Her music brought immense joy to those around her and played a significant role in the lives of many churchgoers.
In 1958, Sandra married John Blair O’Meara, with whom she had three daughters: Allison, Kelly, and Laurie. She was recognized as a nurturing mother and enjoyed sharing laughs and love with her family. The O’Meara family cherished their time spent on vacations to various Texas destinations including Lake Travis, Wimberley, Dripping Springs, and Surfside. Sandra also had a passion for games, particularly bridge and the domino game 42, which she enjoyed playing with her family.
Sandra had a successful career in banking, serving as the Vice President of SBA lending before retiring. After her retirement, she continued to share her musical talents by volunteering as a pianist in nursing homes, embodying her commitment to giving back to the community through her passion for music. Her devotion to her faith was evident as she became an integral member of Tallowood Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir for many years.
In her final moments, Sandra was surrounded by hymns, a testament to her lifelong connection to music and her faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Betsy Campbell, and ex-husband John O’Meara, who remained her lifelong best friend. Sandra is survived by her three daughters, Allison Wheeler (Tony), Kelly O’Meara (Brian), and Laurie O’Meara (Ceci), along with grandsons Brad Wheeler and Tanner O’Meara, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service honoring Sandra will be held at Tallowood Baptist Church, located at 555 Tallowood Drive in Houston, on Saturday, May 31 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to His Grace Foundation and Brookwood in Georgetown. The family expresses their profound gratitude for the care provided to Sandra during her final journey at Independence Hill and Shavano Park Memory Care in San Antonio, along with the support from Passion Hospice and Heart and Home Personal Care Home.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Dignity Memorial: Sandra O’Meara
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- Houston Chronicle: Waco Tornado 1953
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Houston
- Dignity Memorial: Robert Holland
- Google Search: Sandra Hunt O’Meara
- Wikipedia: Baylor University
- Google Scholar: Melrose Baptist Church Houston
- Google News: Tallowood Baptist Church
- Google Search: His Grace Foundation and Brookwood Georgetown
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
