Mother of the Groom: Sandra Nolley

Sandra Nolley Age: 65   Theme Song: "Coal Miner's Daughter" by Loretta Lynn   Little-Known Fact: John's mom has the "Black Thumb of Death" when it comes to taking care of houseplants. Also, she was born in a house in the same town/coal camp as NBA star Jerry West.   Interests / Hobbies: Painting (which we're encouraging her to work on again), coaching (she lead girls' basketball teams to many consecutive championships), reading

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Sandra Nolley (nee Burdette) began life in a small home in a coal camp near Cabin Creek, WV--the same community from which NBA legend Jerry West hailed. A true "Baby Boomer" born on the tide of servicemen returning home from World War II, Sandy was the middle of three children in her family. She grew up in the Charleston area, attending South Charleston high school and later the historically-black school West Virginia State University, where she played a very odd women's-rules version of basketball.

Sandy met John while working on post-graduate classes, and the two later moved to John's hometown of Mullens to start a family. Their first attempt at children met with near-tragic disaster (an ectopic pregnancy), but they persevered and eventually had three children together, including young John II.

Sandy recently retired from full-time school teaching, where she spent more than 35 years in the classroom instructing kids of many ages.