Sandra Hougland Tietjen

Wife, mother, and wonderful friend, Sandra (Sandy) Hougland Tietjen, passed away on December 4, 2024 at the age of 74 after a courageous battle with cancer. She spent her last days in her home surrounded by family and friends.

 Sandy was born in Ft. Belvoir Army Base, Fairfax, VA to Lt. Col. Arnold L. Hougland and Nora Randall Hougland. She briefly attended Palnez School. In 1956 the family relocated to Treasure Island Florida and shortly after in 1957 to Bellair Bluffs, Fl. She attended Mildred Helms elementary and Largo High School. After graduation from Largo High, she attended the University of Florida where she met her future husband Ed Tietjen in 1971. In 1972 she graduated with a BS in Psychology. In September of 1973 she and Ed were married in Bellair Bluffs and settled in Tampa, Fl where she worked for Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court. In 1978 Sandy and Ed moved to Miami where she worked in the purchasing department of the largest college in the State, Miami Dade College.

 Sandy and Ed adopted two children Alexandra and Peter. At that time, she made the decision to devote her days to raising her children and retired from outside work. 

 In 2008 the family moved to Maryville, TN near her beloved Smoky Mountains. She became a second mother to many of the children that attended school and church with Alex and Peter. She loved the many, many nights of pool parties, pizza parties and fun with children who visited. She was an avid football fan throughout her life. In addition to her U of F Gators she loved the Alcoa Tornadoes High School Team where Peter was a football manager for 4 years. They attended all the games, even away games.

 She loved camping and travelling. Her other passions included needle work, hiking in the Smokies, volunteering and helping her friends whenever they needed support or an extra hand. She was a woman filled with humility and love for others, volunteering at her church in Miami, at her children’s school, and the SMiles organization in Blount County to name just a few. She was a mother to her children’s friends, a friend to anyone who needed it, and a true embodiment of Christ’s love, consistently and genuinely loving others without any expectation of a return. 

 The simplest pleasures are what brought Sandy joy. Growing up she adored spending the summers in Birmingham, AL with her maternal grandparents, lovingly known as Granny and Pop. Those summers were filled with magical playtime with her cousins Cindy, Candy, Suzy, Peggy, and Vivian Anne feeding the chickens raised by her Pop. She loved the Great Smoky Mountains and enjoying a cruise around the Cades Cove loop. Sandy was one of the rare kinds of people that took incredible pleasure in serving others and often knew what a friend needed, providing it before they even thought to ask. Her greatest treasure was her faith. She loved Christ and lived to share the truth and hope that He provides. She gave all glory to Him and extended His love to everyone that had the privilege of encountering her. Sandy’s life and legacy is celebrated and carried on by her husband, Ed, her daughter, Alexandra Crenshaw, her son, Peter, her granddaughter Meika Crenshaw, her brothers Leonard E Hougland his wife Arlene, their two sons Todd and Brett and their wives and children, and Arnold L Hougland, Jr his two daughters Kayla and Summer Rose and her husband Vince Rose and their daughter Audrey, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

 We will gather at Smith Funeral Home in Maryville, TN on January 17, 2025 at 2PM to celebrate her life, share stories and join in fellowship. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in her name to Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, New York or Pregnancy Resource Center, Maryville, TN.