Obituary of Sandra Jean Traver

Sandra Jean Traver, age 83 of Harvey's Lake passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at Wesley Village United Methodist Homes after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was born in Loyalville on January 24, 1940 and was the daughter of the late Gaylord Fayette Martin Sr. and Mildred Leatha Hummel Martin. Sandra was baptized at Loyalville United Methodist Church and remained a member of the church throughout her life. She was active in the church choir, a Sunday school teacher and superintendent and a member of the pastoral council. Sandra participated in District and Regional choir and had a love for music that continued throughout her life. In her later years she could be found singing in the halls of Wesley Village and organizing resident Christmas caroling. Despite leaving school at the age of fifteen, she was an advocate for her children's education and instilled in each of her children a love of reading and game playing. Dissatisfied with the education offered to her son in the 1960's, she spearheaded the mainstreaming of special needs children in her district. Sandra remained active with her children' education, participating in school events and acting as president of the Lehman Jackson PTA. She loved children and worked as a nanny for several families throughout her life helping to raise thirteen children in addition to her own. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Eva Thomas; and brothers Gaylord (Sonny) Martin Jr. and Jay Martin Sr. Even when Alzheimer's disease robbed her of her memory, she never forgot her beloved husband, Cecil James Traver with whom she celebrated 68 years of marriage in April 2023. Their love story defied the odds and set an example of how to love one another to their family and friends. Sandra valued honesty, hard work, fairness, and compassion; values she passed on to her children, whom she described as her greatest accomplishment. She is survived by children, Tina Davis and husband James, Wesley Traver and wife Louise, Kelly Traver and wife Anne, Eric Traver, Zina Sult and husband Bernie, Ryan Traver and wife Geraldine, Jody Traver and husband Keith Acornley, Gina Morgan and husband John. Grandchildren, Angela Traver, Sharon Traver, Sara Bagley (Josh), Emma Bourgon (Anthony), Matthew Davis, Charlotte Elcyzyn (Robert), Lauren Bintz (Mark), Ashlie Traver, Alexa Traver, Courtney Sult, Aaron Traver, Samuel Traver, Owen Morgan, Abigail Traver, Shelby Traver, Kayla Traver, Elena Traver, Connor Morgan, LJ Morgan, and Eric Traver Jr. Great-Grandchildren, Alivia Elcyzyn, Sage Davis, Riley Elcyzyn, Georgia Metz, Andie Metz, Carter Bourgon, Kennedy Bourgon, Allison Bintz, Mason Pinos, Noah Bourgon and making her arrival in December 2023, Willow Elcyzyn. Brothers, Alfred Martin and Robert Martin and sister Ida Scott. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 10:00 AM from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of Routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek, with Reverand Carol Folk, officiating. Friends and family may call on Monday, November 20, 2023 from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM at the funeral home. The family would like to thank the staff of Wesley Village for their compassionate and loving care of Sandra since 2020. Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com