ATLANTA – Former Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal died Tuesday at the age of 80 of breast cancer that metastasized into brain cancer.
The wife of former Gov. Nathan Deal died at their home in Demorest surrounded by her family.
“We have lost a wife, mother and grandmother who loved us unconditionally, as we did her. She blessed us, taught us, and enriched our lives,” the Deal family said in a statement.
“Our family knew this day was coming, and we are grateful that it gave us the opportunity to enjoy as much time with her as we could in her final months. We are grieving but celebrate her life and the example she set.”
Sandra Deal served as a teacher and, as first lady, read to students in every county and school district in the state.
“Her generosity of spirit ensured not only that she was beloved by her students, but also an influential force in their lives, leaving an imprint not just on their minds but also on their hearts,” Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp said in a joint statement. “She brought the same dedication and a refined spirit to her work as First Lady.”
The Deals occupied the Governor’s Mansion from 2011 through 2018.
The Deal family will host a Celebration of Life for the late first lady on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Lanier Tech in Gainesville. All are welcome.
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.