Sandra Hyder

Mrs. Sandra Webb Hyder of last Reliance, Tennessee, postmaster, passed away January 4, 2022, at the age of 79 at her residence.

She was a member of the prominent Polk County family, who founded the internationally known Webb Brothers Store and Webb Brothers Float Service on the Hiwassee River in Reliance. Her great-grandmother, Sarah Reed Vaughn, is credited with naming the community and serving as the first “keeper of the mail” (postmaster).

Mrs. Hyder was born February 24, 1942, at the historic Vaughn-Webb house to Harold J. Webb Sr. and Neva Wales Webb. At the time of her death was co-owner of Webb Brothers Store, Webb Float Service and Webb Farm. She was a Girl Scout leader who hosted all troop levels in her home at Hyderway because there was no school or community venue in Reliance for meetings. She served on the board of directors of the Benton Family Health Center in the 1970s.

Mrs. Hyder was a member of the North Cleveland Church of God for 68 years and a charter member of the church’s Crusader Choir. She was the 1960 Valedictorian of Polk County High School and attended Tennessee Technological University from 1960 to 1964, where she graduated with a B.S. in Business Education.

Two weeks after graduation she began a civil service career of over 47 years serving as Ranger Clerk on the Ocoee Ranger District for six years and seven years in personnel for the Cherokee National Forest Supervisor’s office. After 13 years, Mrs. Hyder transferred to the U.S. Postal service for the remainder of her career, retiring in 2011.

Mrs. Hyder was preceded in death by her parents Harold J. Sr. and Neva Wales Webb. She is survived by her daughters, Heather LaVaughan Hyder and Hannah Webb Hyder Godfrey; son-in-law, Zachariah (Zack) Godfrey; her sister, Marilyn Webb Rousseau (Michel) of Marshalls Creek, Pennsylvania; brother, J. Harold Webb Jr. of Reliance; niece, Marielle Rousseau (Kyle) of Lawrenceville, New York; and many cousins, other relatives, and friends.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.HigginsFuneral.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to Higgins Funeral Home of Benton, Tennessee.