Sandra Lenorah Pretlow, 68, passed suddenly during the pre-dawn hours of September 19, 2025, at her home in Temple Hills, Maryland. Sandra built a legacy of empathy and encouragement that will lastingly warm the hearts of all who treasure the gift of her life. Sandra was born on April 23, 1957, at St. Philip Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, as the seventh and youngest child of the late Mr. and Mrs. Wilroy and Beaner Pretlow. Sandra instantly became the baby princess of her older siblings, and she relished that role all of her days.

Sandra experienced the heartbreaking loss of her sister, Bertha Brown (in 2021); and brother, Wallace Pretlow (in 2023). She maintained daily contact with her surviving siblings, John, Wilroy Jr., Janice, and Gloria until the day she passed.

Sandra confessed her faith through Christian baptism at the age of eight at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Wakefield, Virginia. She sang as an alto in the church choir as a young adult.

Sandra attended Surry County Public Schools. From her first day of kindergarten to the day she graduated from Luther Porter Jackson High School in 1975, Sandra maintained one core group of classmate besties: Christine Elliot, Reba Ellis, and the late Wilma Lovelace (Holmes) and Dwight Young. After high school, Sandra joined her cousins, Beverly Stringfield and Gregory Covington at Norfolk State University, where she studied Business Administration.

When Beverly and her sister Anita moved to the DMV to build their careers, they eventually drew Sandra there, too. In 1989, she accepted a job at Fireman's Insurance Company in Washington, D.C., where she worked until joining the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Human Capital team in 2000.

Sandra was a Shared Services Specialist for WMATA. "Miss P" – as her colleagues called her – quickly became known agency-wide as a subject matter expert on all things personnel. She had a special ability to recall data, manage special projects, and celebrate the milestones of her colleagues and their loved ones. Sandra received special recognition for 25 years of service to WMATA earlier this year.

Sandra loved rooting for the Washington Commanders football team. She also enjoyed dancing and eating out with her Queen Crew:  Candace Adams, Joan Jennings, Ryelynn Johnson, Cindy Jones, and Suzy Mathis. Sandra was THE proudest auntie. She marked every achievement of her nieces, nephews, and other relatives with huge cheers and encouraging text messages, always telling them how smart, successful, beautiful, or handsome they all were to her.

Sandra is survived loved ones: her brothers, John Pretlow (Jeanette) and Wilroy Pretlow, Jr. (Carolyn) of Hampton, VA; sisters, Janice Byrd (the late Major Byrd, Jr.) of Hampton, VA and Gloria Newby (Steve) of Wakefield, VA; sister-in-law, Ophelia Pretlow of Prince George, VA; a lifelong friend who is like a sister, Natalie Jones of Wakefield, VA, and an uncle, John Ira Stringfield (Marlvin) of Norfolk. Sandra also leaves behind thirteen nieces and nephews, and a multitude of great nieces, great nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Services will be held 4:00 P.M., Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Oak Grove Baptist Church, 38070 Rocky Hock Road, Wakefield, VA, the Rev. Melvin Lyttle, Jr., Pastor, the Rev. John Pretlow, eulogist. The interment to follow at The Stringfield Family Cemetery.

Viewing for Sandra L. Pretlow will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Friday, September 26, 2025, at Oak Grove Baptist Church.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.