Sandra Marshall Obituary

It is with the saddest regret that we announce the death of our beloved sister and aunt, Sandra Ann Marshall, a resident of Mansfield Place in Philippi, WV. Sandy was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and faced her foe with grace, courage, and dignity. Sandy was born June 27, 1946 in Bonne Terre, Missouri, the daughter of the late Marvin and Rose Mary Marshall of Elkins. As a child in a US Forest Service family, she lived in many beautiful locations across our country. Sandy graduated from Holy Name High School in Escanaba, Michigan, and attended Bay de Noc Community College while also working at the Fair Store in Escanaba. She rose from the ranks of window decorator and elevator operator to manager and head buyer in the sportswear department for the company. After 18 years with Fair Store, Sandy rejoined her family who had moved to Elkins to work with her retired father in his real estate appraisal business, Marvin Marshall and Associates. The two worked closely together with Sandy traveling to courthouses conducting deed searches and working from their office on South Randolph Avenue. Her love of antiques and antiquarian books led her to open her first antique store, The Elkins Antique Emporium, at 212 Davis Avenue with her mother and fellow downtown merchant and friend, Linda Barry, the owner of Augusta Books. The popularity and success of the Antique Emporium was due in large part to Sandy's efforts to know her customers and her willingness to share her knowledge and love of antiques, books, and postcards. Eventually Sandy became sole owner of her shop. Her love of bittersweet and desire to focus on the sale of antiquarian books led to her renaming her store Bittersweet Books and Antiques. Sandy shared the shop with her beloved "chi-beagle" (chihuahua/beagle mix) pup "Lucy" and shop cats "Chico" and "Pogo. " Bittersweet Books served as a popular haunt for friends, locals, and visitors alike. She remained at the Davis Avenue location for more than a decade before moving to its final Third Street location. In 2008, she briefly retired and moved to her beloved New Mexico to live near her brother and family members. She later returned to the mountains of West Virginia to live out her final years in Elkins and Philippi. Sandy promoted and supported her adopted town's merchants and artists as a member of the Elkins Downtown Merchants Association, Randolph County Chamber of Commerce, and Elkins Mainstreet Committee. Sandy loved history and historic preservation by volunteering and supporting many local historical organizations, such as Citizens for Historical Opportunity Preservation and Education (C-HOPE), Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation, Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, and the Elkins Historic Landmarks Commission, where she served as treasurer for many years. Sandy especially loved Elkins' vibrant arts scene and its local artisans, many of whom she counted as close friends. Sandy's steadfast dedication to the arts was evident through her support and volunteer work for the Randolph County Community Arts Center, Augusta Heritage Center, Artist's at Work, and the Mountain Weavers Guild. Sandy enjoyed people and loved animals, surrounding herself with close friends with whom she loved to play Scrabble or watch Antiques Roadshow episodes. She loved social interactions but equally loved the quiet solitude of reading a good book paired with a nice glass of wine while curled up with her adopted furry friends. She welcomed all to her home where she surrounded herself with her collections of books, art, postcards, and Indian baskets and pottery. Sandy had a great sense of style and was blessed with a kind heart and beautiful spirit that will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Sandy is survived by her siblings: Art and Mary Marshall of Canton, Georgia; John and Sheila Marshall of Beverly; Sally Marshall Fidler and Cory Fidler of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Paul Marshall of Lubbock, Texas; along with several nieces and nephews and friends, Rob and Carol Whetzel. Preceding Sandy in death, besides her parents, was her sister Catherine (Katie) Marshall Fidler of Shepherdstown, WV. A Graveside Service will be conducted Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Saint Brendan Cemetery at Elkins, WV. The Reverend Mr. Raymond G. Godwin will officiate and interment will follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Randolph County Humane Society, P. O. Box 785, Elkins, WV 26241.