Cassandra Ella Wade

Our Gift to God: Cassandra Ella Wade (Sandy) peacefully passed on to her heavenly Father on Monday November 22, 2021. God's Gift to Us: Sandy was born in Columbus, Ohio on August 18, 1951, to the late Herman Dowdy Sr. and Roselee Dowdy. The Gift of Wisdom: Sandy was educated in the Columbus Catholic and Columbus Public School system, graduating from Linden McKinley in 1969. Sandy graduated from Columbus State University with a degree in Social Work. In addition to being a licensed social worker, Sandy was an Ordained Minister and Alumni of The Rhema Christian Center Ministerial Alliance. The Gift of Labor: Sandy's passion was for people and social work, which was fulfilled during her employment at St. Stephen's Community House, where she worked for 20 years. The Gift of Service: Sandy led a life of service and ministry. She faithfully served with the Rhema Christian Center Prison Ministry, which provided volunteer services to 16 State of Ohio Prisons and a Federal Prison in West Virginia. Sandy served at Friends Ministry (serving meals and providing clothing to the homeless). During the Christmas season, Sandy served in collaboration with Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree ministry. Sandy was the editor of a quarterly newsletter called "The Redeemer," mailed to prisons served by Rhema Christen Center. Sandy served as the Director of Restoration Christian Ministries, overseeing The House of Bethel, a transitional home for formerly incarcerated women. Sandy became a volunteer with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, serving as a mentor, and ministry services volunteer. Sandy wrote ministerial plays for Alderson Federal Prison Camp Services. Her passion for serving women allowed her to create curriculum on Building Self-Esteem, Anger Management and Breaking Free from Bondages. Sandy and her husband James were commissioned in September 2009 as Pastors of Restoration Christian Ministries, ministering in the inner city of Columbus, Ohio. The Gift of Love: Sandy leaves to cherish her memory her devoted and loving husband of 24 years, James L. Wade; two sisters Jackie (Edward Johnson - deceased); Renea (Mark Williams) of Pickerington, Ohio; (Reggie Dowdy-deceased), Lynne of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and a host of nephews and nieces, cousins and friends who loved her and will miss her. Sandy, loved reading, journaling, planting flowers, cooking for family gatherings and blessing her family and friends with gifts. In lieu of flowers, please make a gift, which supports children such as, St Stephen's Community House, Angel Tree (of Prison Fellowship Ministry), or St. Jude Children's Hospital. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure [from this world] is at hand and I will soon go free. I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]. In the future there is reserved for me the [victor's] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that [great] day-and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 Amplified