With the passing of time, it is essential to have the understanding of the importance of cherishing the little moments in life. Being able to enjoy these seconds to their fullest means the outburst of laughter, sharing of wisdom, and enhanced intuitiveness. Sandra Greene’s life is a depiction of this wisdom and peace.

Happiness, as defined by Sandra, is peace of mind and ease of heart. She focuses her life on doing the right things and taking care of those most important to her, her family, her everything. She prides herself in her two sons, Logan and Jim, as well as her daughter in law, Valerie, whom is very dear to her heart. Her grandson, Kenny, is a light in her life that she calls “Mam’s Delight.”

Family is Sandra’s center of life which was instilled in her during her upbringing. A fond sector of her childhood is the deep feeling of love bestowed upon her from her Mamaw and Papaw Shoffner. She was so cherished as the first grandchild. Her grandparents taught her some of the most important life lessons. Sometimes, while soaking in nature’s beauty from her own front porch, she closes her eyes and thinks back to Mamaw Shoffner’s and those naps on her porch rocker with a whisper of old childhood stories in the distance, and after a moment, the faint smell of buttery oatmeal and hot sugar biscuits seems to breeze from her grandmother’s kitchen. Her father, Gerald Shoffner, left her a solid image of strength, care taking, and love for family. To Sandra, her mother, Barbara Wolfenbarger Shoffner, represents family affection, natural beauty, frugalness, and a fun-loving outlook. As outlined by her parents and grandparents, she sought to raise kind, compassionate, loving, understanding, helpful, independent sons. With a grin she says, “So far, so good.” She shared these outlooks and precious memories with her brother, Gerald Shoffner, Jr. (Scobie), who she was closer to than anyone. The most memorable and most tragic time in her life will always be the extreme heartbreak and sadness of his sudden passing in August 2017. A piece of advice that she has learned and passes on to others when necessary is, “Let go and let God. Worrying and trying to fix the trials of life cannot get done by ourselves. Turn it over.”

Sandra is rooted in Little Tater Valley of Luttrell, but she has commuted to Maynardville for her career as Office Administrator at Union County Soil Conservation District since 1981. She prides herself in her profession and would like to work as long as possible. She brings many skills to her job, but can be recognized as a superb listener. Over the years she has seen changes from paperwork and manuals to computer files and electronic communication. She generally works with grants, records management, outreach events, planning, and most of all, her work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Technician and Tennessee Department of Ag (TDA) Watershed coordinator who provides technical service to complete the administration of funding to landowners applying for incentive payments for the installation of conservation practices within the county. This time of year, at the office you can find her configuring tax forms, conducting an affiliate member drive, and compiling the year’s activities for a District Annual Report.

The Soil Conservation District office works with many diverse funding types including NRCS, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, TDA, Ag Resources Conservation Fund, and 319 grants. Some of the partner agencies are Farm Service Agency, UT Extension, Tennessee Division of Forestry, Union County Farm Bureau, Union Farmers Co-op, Union County Court, TWRA, and Union County High School.

Sandra continues to enhance her skill set by attending training and workshops as they become available. Throughout her career, she has been involved heavily in the community and on many Union County boards and committees such as Farm Bureau, Business and Professional Association, Historical Society, UT Extension Ag Committee, Toys for Tots, as well as assisting with numerous community car shows, festivals, farm days, farm tours, and expo events. She is blessed to have encountered a wealth of fine folks in her time at the district office and looks forward to the years ahead.

Although told she is stubborn on occasion, she doesn’t believe it. She holds many hidden talents and finds tranquility while camping at various lakes and parks. She frequents dances, car shows, and festivals, which in turn brought her together with her sweetheart, Troy Norman. Nineteen years ago, she met Troy at Cider Ville where they were instantly drawn together when he asked her to dance. They spend much time together enjoying life’s finest moments and prioritizing outdoor activities and relaxation.

Sandra is especially proud of her sons as well as everyone else along her way that was either a blessing or a lesson, she is wholly thankful. Looking back on the peace Sandra has built into her life, she will likely be remembered as strong from her life experiences, a good mother who loved laughing and cared deeply for her family, someone who freely shared advice, and purely treasured her longtime friends. It is clear she fulfills Dolly Parton’s saying, “When you see someone without a smile, give them yours.”