Sally Ann Lafavers

Sally Ann Wilmetha LaFavers was born in Hogwaller, Texas on January 26, 1936, the first child of William and Louie LaFavers. Her maternal grandmother, widowed early in her marriage, lived with the family and raised the children. Sally was very close to “Granny”, and helped her with caring for her four younger siblings, Sonny, Jake, Maxine, and Essie Ray. Sally helped in the fields picking cotton, and always hoed the row next to Granny. Granny made the long, hot days easier and she told Sally stories of her youth. Granny taught her how to read the notes and play the piano, a skill she enjoyed throughout her life. Sally was an outstanding secretary with amazing typing skills, and shortly after graduation from Abernathy High School, she was married to her boss at Westinghouse, Robert Kindstrand. She gave birth to Cynthia Ann in 1956 and Caroline Sue in 1957 while living in Friona, Texas. The marriage ended after a few short years, and Sally wed Loyd Messenger, a crop duster from Friona. She gave birth to Christine Kay in 1961. In 1963, the family moved to Manteca, California where Loyd found a more financially secure crop dusting job. For many years, Sally was a homemaker and a wonderful Mama. She sewed clothes for herself and her daughters, often making matching outfits. She was an excellent cook, and her familys favorites included fried chicken, yeast rolls, chicken fried steak, banana pudding, and strawberry layer cake. Between sewing, cooking, washing, ironing, cleaning, and caring for the girls, she also found time to play tennis, and won the womens singles in Mantecas tennis tournament in 1968. As the girls grew into their teens and Sally was again single, she decided to go back to work. She landed a job with San Joaquin County, and worked her way to the top as Chief Deputy Clerk of the Manteca-Ripon-Escalon-Tracy Judicial District. She was active in the Association of Municipal Court Clerks of California, serving several times in statewide offices. Sally was always a caring person, and served many years in leadership in the Manteca Unit of the Salvation Army. She was so involved in the Salvation Armys charitable activities that she earned the nickname “Salvation Sal”. While working at the Manteca Municipal Court, Sally met Phil Sanguinetti, Mantecas City Planner, who had been called for jury duty. They were married on May 19, 1990 and retired to Oregon three years later. Their home became a favorite spot for vacations and holidays with Sallys daughters and their families. Sally adored her grandchildren, and she and Phil gave them many happy memories of skiing, golfing, bike riding, playing tennis, and swimming. In 1999, Sally and Phil moved back to California to be closer to family and enjoy the California weather. Sally was known for her friendliness, sense of humor, laughter, beauty, and southern charm. Though she struggled with Alzheimers disease in her final years, she never lost those qualities. Her daughters had always been her pride and joy, and she continued to worry about how “the girls” were doing. Her two great-grandsons brought her great happiness over the past couple of years, and even though memory often failed her, she always knew who they were. Sally will be forever missed by those who knew and loved her. Service Location Not Available Tuesday 3/17, 3:00 pm Leonard Cemetery Saturday 3/21, 1:00 pm