Sandy Blakemore Drayer died peacefully at Hilton Head Hospital on June 23, 2024. 

She was born Mary Sanders Blakemore on Aug. 13, 1944, in Alexandria, Virginia to the Rev. Dr. John Blakemore and Carlotta DeLong Blakemore. She was a vibrant and energetic child, active in Girl Scouts and high school athletics. After graduating from E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, she attended Mary Washington College, where she graduated with a degree in political science. 

Sandy was married to Ralph W. Drayer on Aug. 30, 1965, in Richmond, Virginia, with her father officiating at the wedding. She and Ralph enjoyed an adventurous life together. After settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, they lived in Frankfurt, Germany and Paris, France, before returning to Cincinnati for many years. Following Ralph’s retirement from Procter & Gamble, Sandy led an active life with homes in both Hilton Head, South Carolina and Southport Island, Maine.  

Sandy was passionate about her children and five grandchildren. She was an avid reader and thoughtful writer, and she enjoyed clubs for both. Her enthusiastic support to her community was seen through her involvement in the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, All Saints Episcopal Church, Sea Pines Country Club, Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, and local fundraising activity in support of civic and charitable organizations in both of her communities.  

To know Sandy was to experience the beautiful blend of her strength and grace. Her family remembers fondly how valued and special she made each of them feel when interacting with her. Her last lesson to her family and friends during the trying period of the last few months was the unwavering positive attitude she showed consistently right up to her passing.  

Sandy is survived by her husband, Ralph W. Drayer, Jr. and loving family, including her daughter, Carolyn Gatesman, and her husband Mark, and their two children, Lily and Blake of Highland, Michigan; her son, Whitney Drayer and his wife Kelly, and their three children, Isabelle, Holden and Sloane of Chattanooga, Tennessee; her sister, Dee Meredith and her husband, Cowles and, her brother, Haywood Blakemore, and his wife, Joanne, all of Charlottesville, Virginia. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Mimi Antich of Deer Island, Maine, Sally Drayer of Solebury, Pennsylvania and Mary Drayer of Charlottesville Virginia, and seven nieces and two nephews.  

There will be a funeral service at All Saints Episcopal Church in Hilton Head at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, followed immediately by a celebration of life at Sea Pines Country Club. All are welcome to join the family at both events to honor Sandy and her beautiful life.  

Sandy volunteered and provided support to the Rotary Club. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Sandy’s name to Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club.