update/obituary NWA Capt. Sandy Allmon Anderson
death flwnwst
~ IN MEMORY ~
NWA Capt. Sandra Lynn Allmon Anderson
February 8, 1948 - April 25, 2026
Obituary and service arrangements are now available at the funeral home’s website: https://www.griffin-roughton.com/obituaries/sandra-lynn-allmon-anderson/#!/Obituary
PCN memorial site https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2026/04/nwa-capt-sandra-lynn-allmon-anderson.html
Obituary : Captain Sandra Lynn Allmon Anderson was born in Houston, Texas on Feb. 8, 1948 to Bonnylin McBride and Willis O’Neal Allmon Jr.
Sandy passed away in Gun Barrel City, Tx on April 25, 2026. She graduated from Lewisville, Texas in 1966 and was later inducted to their Hall of Fame. She went on to TWU where she graduated in 1970 with a degree in Art Education and minors in music and physical education. For the next two years she taught at La Marque Intermediate and during this time married Dick Anderson, a NASA Engineer and skydiver.
In 1975, Dick was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. By this time Sandy had changed her career goals and earned her private pilot’s license. After acquiring a certificate in flight engineering and Airline Transport Pilot, in 1979, she was the second female hired by Northwest Orient Airline as a pilot.
During her career, she advanced to Captain on multiple aircraft, including the Boeing 727, 757, and 747-400. In 1989, she became a B-727 Captain, and in 2000 she was promoted to Captain on the Boeing 747-400.
A true trailblazer, Sandy broke significant barriers for women in aviation. She became Northwest Airlines’ first female Captain Instructor/Check Pilot in 1992 and later selected as the first female amongst all the major U.S. passenger carrying airlines as a Fleet Check Captain in 1994 and then named Assistant Chief Pilot – Flight Manager. She was the first female to hold this position at NWA, or at any other major U.S. Airline.
She was a founding board member of Women in Aviation, International (WAI) and played a key role in establishing its Endowment Fund, helping create lasting scholarship and educational opportunities. Her contributions earned widespread recognition. Sandy received the Northwest Airlines Humanitarian Award, the Women in Aviation International “Bruce Baty Volunteer of the Year Award” (twice), the WAI Founders Award, and Texas Woman’s University’s Distinguished Alumna Award. She was inducted twice into the Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame and honored for her lifelong commitment to advancing women in aviation.
In 1995 she earned her Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Organization Development from the American University in Washington, D.C.
She is survived by her sisters: Patricia Diane Allmon Gray of Denton and Sharla Allmon Johnson and her husband Jeff of Gun Barrel City. Step Son Randy Anderson and grandson Russell Anderson both of Gainesville, Florida. Niece and Nephew: Shelley Graney and husband Denny and Bradley Bain and wife Taryn. Great Niece and Nephews: Olivia Graney, Jack Graney, Kelyn Bain, Keaton Bain and Kyler Bain.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WAI – Women in Aviation International.
Memorial Services will be held May 3rd from 1pm to 3pm for Visitation only at Griffon – Roughton Funeral home – Corsicana, Tx., and Monday May 4th at Griffon – Roughton Funeral Home will be another visitation at 12pm and service following at 1pm. Graveside services will be immediately after at Birdston Cemetery in Streetman, Texas.