Counseling services for individuals, groups and relationships in need.
Sandra E’Lane Raye Browne
Born: September 17, 1944, died: September 20, 2024
Sandra E’Lane Raye was born in Fort Worth, TX on September 17, 1944. She was adopted by Thomas and Willa Spencer Raye at birth and raised in Dallas, TX. They preceded her in death. She had one brother, Tom, who died earlier this year. His daughters, Polly and Laura, were and continue to be close family.
She attended Bryan Adams High School, where she was on the debate team, and Mary Hardin Baylor College before a 11-year career as an airshow pilot and wingrider as owner of The Flying Pierces Airshow. After airshows, her varied career included Texas Real Estate Broker, Business Consultant, Psychotherapist, and private practice counselor. In 1980 she helped start the Amigo Airshow in El Paso, TX, serving as its first Executive Director and second President. In 1989, she was the campaign manager and Executive Assistant for Economic and Marketing Development to the first woman Mayor of El Paso. She continued counseling, focusing on the elderly and hospice patients, and maintained her private practice counseling office until March of 2024.
In 1987, she received a Bachelor of Science from the University of the State of New York. She also earned a Master of Education in Counseling from UTEP in 1992. Her Doctor of Spiritual Science was granted by Peace Theological Seminary and College of Philosophy in Los Angeles, CA in 2018.
Her daughter Wendi Schlarb was born in 1965 and Shawn Dell Pierce in 1968. She loved spending time with both of them and with their families including nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. In 1987, she married Stan Browne and joined his family of Will, Steve, and Mike, and now three grandchildren.
Sandi lived in many places over her life including Georgia, Florida, and Indiana, before settling in El Paso, TX. More recently she and Stan lived in Longview, TX, Ruidoso, NM and now Rockwall, TX. Prior to settling in Ruidoso, they spent two years traveling in their motorhome, touring the United States.
Through great effort on her part, and true welcoming on the part of her birth Mother’s family, she connected with her three Benton brothers, Larry, Garry, and Curtis, and their families. She loved seeing that connection develop and getting to know and love all the new relatives.
Sandi’s joy of living was apparent to all who knew her. She made friends everywhere she went and continued to serve others in all those places. She leaves a solid legacy in her travels. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and devoted family.
