For Sandra (Sandy) BeVille Furches, a life well lived has always been about people. She and her husband John Furches have been residents of Oak Hammock at the University of Florida since 2022. Sandy is a warm and soft-spoken lady, with a lovely, bright smile and a gracious, engaging presence.

Born in Hampton, Virginia and raised in nearby Newport News, Sandy grew up in a loving family as an only child. Her parents, Bill and Regina BeVille, instilled in her a strong foundation of faith, service and hard work—values that would shape nearly every chapter of her life.

Sandy attended Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology, graduating magna cum laude in 1972. Her decision to attend Stetson was influenced in part by her pastor, who was a Stetson graduate. She vacationed in Florida with her parents and her paternal grandparents had lived in Florida, making the state feel a little more like home.

At Stetson, Sandy discovered that sociology was a natural fit. “I’ve always been interested in people and relationships,” she says.

She became deeply involved in the Baptist Student Union, served on revival teams and was selected as a summer missionary to Jamaica in 1971. She helped lead Vacation Bible Schools across the island—an experience that would become the beginning of a lifelong connection to Jamaica and mission work.

Finding her calling

Sandy’s career in disability services began with an experience in first grade that left a lasting impression on her. Her teacher had a daughter named Sandra who had Down syndrome, and Sandy became her friend. At the end of that school year, her teacher transitioned from teaching first grade to leading the elementary school’s first special education class. Sandy watched the students interact on the playground and was struck by the positive relationships they shared, especially in contrast to the teasing and unkindness she witnessed from some of her peers. This early experience sparked her interest in working with people with disabilities and helped shape the path of her future career.

After moving to Gainesville, she accepted a position at Sunland Training Center, now called Tacachale. What began as a clerical position developed into work as a rehabilitation technician and social worker.

Her work focused on helping people with disabilities transition into community life. She identified foster homes where individuals could receive support in family settings, supervised foster placements and helped develop community services.

Eventually, Sandy joined Advocates for Citizens with Disabilities, or CARC, in Columbia county, where she served as executive director for 20 years. Those years remain among the most fulfilling of her career.

“It was beyond my imaginings of anything I could do,” Sandy recalls. “I hope many people have benefited from my efforts.”

Under her leadership, CARC expanded its services, achieved international CARF, or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, accreditation developed supported employment and supported living programs and secured funding for a new group home. Sandy remembers one particularly meaningful accomplishment: helping develop a 13-bedroom group home that gave residents an opportunity for greater independence and community involvement.

For Sandy, the work was never simply about programs. She wanted people to see potential where others might see limitations.

She also credits her faith with guiding her career. “God led me to that path to make a difference,” she says.

Her contributions were recognized in 1986 when she was named the Lake City Reporter’s Working Woman of the Year. After completing a 32-year career in disability services, Sandy retired in 2004 to care for her parents. 

A life built around service

Service didn’t end with retirement. Sandy has been an active member of Altrusa since 1984. Altrusa is an organization that connects people who want to make a difference in their communities. Through Altrusa, she developed friendships with women and men involved in many different areas of service and discovered again the power of working together.

“You can do more together than anyone can do alone,” she says.

Her service has included leadership roles at the club and district levels, as well as projects ranging from school-supply drives to providing underwear for women in Jamaica.

Her connection to Jamaica has continued for decades. Since 2007, she has participated in annual mission trips, with husband John supporting her every step of the way. While she was away, he would receive her daily reports and email them each night to all team members’ families and supporters. Sandy was team leader from 2009-2021, organizing and training each year’s volunteer team.

Sandy also spent 37 years leading and serving in women’s ministries at Parkview Baptist Church in Lake City.

In April 2026, another chapter of her service was recognized when she received the DAR Women in History Award from the Edward Rutledge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

A love story and 54 years of adventure

Sandy met John while she was at Stetson. He was a friend of her roommate’s older sister. They married in 1972 and have now shared 54 years of marriage.

Over the decades, they have filled their life together with adventure: canoeing, backpacking, camping and mountain climbing. They travel to Sevierville, Tennessee, where they meet three other couples several times a year.

Now they are looking forward to another adventure: getting back to recumbent three-wheel tricycle riding around Gainesville and beyond.

Their relationship is characterized by the same mutual support that has defined so much of their lives. For example, Sandy supports John’s involvement with a Mac users’ group at Oak Hammock, and he has always supported her mission work.

Coming full circle at Oak Hammock

The couple first learned about Oak Hammock through resident Edna Hinson, who had worked with Sandy on disability-related projects. John had also read about Oak Hammock, so when they had an opportunity to attend a marketing event, they came to take a look.

Today, what Sandy and John enjoy most about Oak Hammock is something that has mattered to her throughout her life: people.

“We enjoy the variety of the people and team members,” Sandy says. “We like the equality, acceptance and respect for each other.”

They also appreciate having access to the Fitness Center around the clock.

Sandy’s service-oriented spirit has found a new home at Oak Hammock as well. She became involved with The Oak Leaf newsletter, serving as editor.

Writing has always been part of Sandy’s life. She has been a letter writer for as long as she can remember, and she enjoys baking—another skill she learned from her mother.

A few surprises

There are plenty of things people might not guess about Sandy.

She marched in Gainesville’s bicentennial parade as “Patches” the clown and went as “Patches” on a regular basis to visit long term patients on the Shands Children’s Cancer ward. One Halloween she was the Great Pumpkin headed to Shands but would not fit in the cab of their Datsun pickup truck so John drove her there in the truck bed.

Her father’s favorite philosophy was based on Dale Carnegie’s famous three Cs: don’t criticize, condemn or complain. “Good rule that I try to live by,” she says.

Perhaps that philosophy, combined with a lifetime of faith, service, curiosity and compassion, helps explain the remarkable path Furches has traveled.

From Virginia to Stetson, from disability services to Jamaica, from a 54-year marriage filled with adventure to a new chapter at Oak Hammock, her story is ultimately about the connections between people.

And Sandy believes those connections are not accidental.

“There are so many connections that brought us together,” she says. “I feel it has been part of a big plan.”

“Who is Sandy Furches? Where does she get her loving, caring and giving spirit from? Her roots? Her church? Who knows? We know it is alive and real. If someone needs a hand to hold, a piece of her homemade goodies, or maybe just a smile to brighten their day, that is where you will find her. Right by your side. Sandy, thank you for always being there.” – Edna Hindson, resident

“Sandy as a neighbor and friend exemplifies the definition of a truly giving person in every way possible. Sandy has been the spokesperson for the entire second floor in the Woodland building. She sends health updates, birthday lists and shares every bit of good news with her fellow residents. Just a great wonderful giving person.” – Ann and Bob Bonus, residents

“Sandy is a blessing in every way. Her talents are numerous, her generosity legend and her kindness endearing to all who know and work with her in her many Oak Hammock roles. It is a privilege to be the cookie lady’s neighbor.” – Tamar Hajian, resident