Sandra White Denton

Sandra White Denton, 75, of Madison Heights, Virginia, passed away on July 8, 2026. She was the daughter of the late Dewey White and Virginia Pearl White, and the wife of James Denton; though divorced, they remained good friends until his passing in 1993. Sandra was born on June 9, 1951, in Amherst, Virginia. 

She graduated from Amherst High School, where she made fond memories in Chorus, where she met the love of her life, James Denton. Sandra went on to become a nurse. 

Sandra was a member of Flat Creek Baptist Church of Lynchburg. 

Sandra was a loving mother of three: Shannon, Chris, and Jon. They were so lucky to have her and were so proud of the sacrifices and efforts she put forth to raise good humans! She had a very caring heart and was able to share that in her nursing profession. Westminster Canterbury, in Lynchburg, was her favorite place to work as it gave her more time to get to know her patients and listen to them. She understood that sometimes they just needed someone to listen to them, and she enjoyed the wisdom and time that they shared with her. Sandra loved the outdoors, reading, singing and listening to music. She sang in the church choir for years and had a lovely voice. Over the years, as her health issues hindered her from reading, she turned to "sheep shows" on YouTube. If you called her or showed up at her house, you'd definitely hear some sheep baaing in the background. Her cats Kali and Bella were her babies and great company for her. Her advice to future generations is, "Don't take life too seriously, enjoy every day as if it's your last, and know that family is the most important thing in the world. Take care of them and be there for them." She lived by that and we are forever grateful for that and the time we had with her. 

Sandra is survived by her four siblings: Dorothy (Sisy) Sullivan of Lynchburg; Bill White and his partner, Linda Sadler, of Lynchburg; Brenda Fulton of Rustburg; and Wanda Stansfield of Lynchburg. 

Her two sons: Chris Denton-Davis and his husband, Jay Davis-Denton, of Los Angeles, California; and Jon Denton and his wife, Mandy Denton, of Lynchburg. 

Her "adopted" daughter, Robin Hughes and her husband, Robert Hughes, of Rustburg. 

Her five grandchildren: Caleb Denton and his partner Kaysha Compton, of Roanoke; Jon (Gabe) Denton-Ollie, of Lynchburg; Simon Denton, of Lynchburg; Chloe Denton and her partner, Michael Charecky, of Lynchburg; and River Denton of Lynchburg.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey White and Virginia (Pearl) White; her late husband, James Denton; and her daughter, Shannon Denton. 

Chris, Jon, and family wish to offer their ultimate thanks and gratitude to her siblings, who have always been there for her over the years. She loved you all so much, and we’re so glad that you were her siblings.

 Sisy, you are truly an angel to us—please stop denying it. 

Bill, she loved you so much. The visits and kindness you showed her meant everything to her, even if she seemed frustrated when she had to yell for you to hear her! 

Brenda, you did so much for our family—and for so many others too! You have always been a blessing.

 Wanda, I know she would like me to mention one more time that she’s sorry she dropped you in the outhouse :) Thanks for continuing to stay close with her after that, and for your Sunday visits with her and Audrey—they were always a highlight of her week. 

We are so grateful for you all, and we truly can’t say thanks enough. 

There will be a visitation with the family Friday, July 17 at Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory in Lynchburg.

 Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Madison Heights is assisting the family.