On Tuesday, April 11, 2023, the gentle soul of Sandra Kirby Tobias left this harsh earth to join the heavenly angels.  A beautiful and heartfelt private service officiated by Reverend James Clyburn was held on Friday morning, April 14 ^th at Red Bank Baptist Church for family and close friends.

"Mama", "Mama T", "Mrs. T", "Boo", as she was affectionally called by her children, students, family and friends respectfully was born to Mrs. Beatrice Norment Kirby and Mr. Richard LeRoy Kirby on the bright Sunday morning of June 30, 1940.

Mrs. Tobias was a retired schoolteacher with more than 53 years of service to the Forsyth County School System.  As a lover of learning and children alike, Sandra approached teaching like a gardener… looking at the minds of those she taught initially as seeds that needed the rain of knowledge and sunlight of encouragement to grow and bloom… and boy, was she an amazing "gardener"!  To ensure lessons remained in the minds of her young students, Sandra wrote and directed numerous plays and puppet shows over the years for every single one of her classes.  Her love to teach didn't stop in the classroom.  In 2006, Mrs. T authored a children's book entitled "Where Is War?" which was illustrated in June 2022.  Never one for a dull moment, Sandra would award her students for good grades and behavior with pizza and dance parties in the classroom and swim parties at home on her patio complete with grilled hotdogs and hamburgers.  It's no surprise that Mrs. T was the favorite teacher of most of her students who continued to stay in touch with her as adults.  During her long career as an educator, she not only had the pleasure of teaching the children of some of her former students, but Sandra also taught grandchildren of some of her former students.  Along the way, a few students became so close to her that she and her children consider them like family to this day.

Mrs. T was presently a member of Red Bank Baptist Church.  Earlier, she was affiliated with Goler Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church.  Her accomplishments were endless at both churches.  One of the many ways Sandra brought her love of teaching and of God into the sacred walls of Red Bank was by leading Youth Ministry lessons once a quarter.  Sandra was masterful at creating specific yet easy to understand spiritual lessons that would not only stay in the minds of her young listeners but would garner an "Amen" or "take your time now" from the older members of the congregation too!  One would think that would be enough for one of the most "senior" members of the church but no, she didn't stop there.  Mrs. T extended her teaching ministry by writing and directing multiple plays for all ages while at Red Bank.  She had no problem recruiting talented church actors and singers time and time again because EVERYONE loved working with Mrs. T!

Nothing was more rewarding to Sandra than being a mom, a loving relative and faithful friend.  Never one to shy away from fun, it was nothing to catch "Mama T" breaking it down to an oldie but goody, trying to trip an opponent up during an intense game of Connect Four, talking about the good old days with her "baby" cousins or childhood friends, or getting wrapped up in discussing her favorite soap opera, Days of Our Lives, during laugh filled phone calls with good buddies.  In true teacher fashion, there was no subject she couldn't discuss.  From politics to pop culture, Sandra could hold her own with all ages as she had the gift to make everyone she encountered feel special… and to her, they were.

Mrs. Tobias was married to the late John Lee Tobias.  She leaves to morn their loss: two daughters, Ms. Stephanie Carson of Raleigh, and Mrs. Keeci Tobias Thompson (Derrick) of Clayton; a son, John Lee Tobias, Jr. (Kristi); two grandchildren, John Lee Tobias III "Trey" and Diego Tobias Thompson; three bonus grandchildren, Jordan Dixon, Dominica Disla and Omar Disla; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives and close friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Heather Shearer, nurses Kerensa, Whitney, Autumn, greeter Rayvon and the entire staff of the Novant Health Derrick L. Davis Cancer Institute for the loving care given to "Mama", "Mama T", "Mrs. T", "Boo" as well as the stellar support provided to our family during the last ten months.  With our whole heart, we thank you.