Sandra Sue Tenorio (1958-2023)

Our beloved Sandra Sue Tenorio, age 64, resident of Buda, Texas was called by our Heavenly Father on Monday, July 31, 2023. Sandra is preceded in death by her loving father, Sam Tenorio Sr.  We lost a bright light when Sandra Sue Tenorio passed away on Monday, July 31, 2023 from a brief but serious illness. 

Sandra was born on December 8, 1958 to parents Sam and Flora "Flo" Tenorio.  Family and friends loved her unconditionally, just as she loved them. She lived her life to the fullest, traveling with friends and family exploring restaurants as she travelled both internationally and domestically. She was a "foodie" and followed famous chefs along their journey. When possible, she went to their restaurant to sample their fare. 

She was vivacious, loving and thought provoking by always speaking her mind on political and social issues. Her public service career spanned over 40 years, including work at the city, county, state and national level. Her first position was an appointment to the Kyle Housing Authority Board of Directors, then elected to the Kyle City Council. In 1986, she was elected as the first Hispanic Mayor for the City of Kyle and the youngest Mayor of the State at the time. She has also served on the Hays CISD Board of Trustees and the Buda City Council, taking on the position as Mayor of Buda when the sitting Mayor resigned.  She had previously worked in county government at the Travis County Courthouse for many years under Judge Bob Perkins where she learned how to navigate the judicial system. 

Years later, she went on to have a successful career in different capacities at the state government level, having worked for the Department of Agriculture under Jim Hightower, Governor Ann Richards and the Comptroller's office under John Sharp. Sandra worked in the following capacities; as the first Director of the Farmworker Right-to-Know Program for the Department of Agriculture where she took the newly created statute and worked with the United Farm Workers, Texas Rural Legal Aid, the Farmers' Union, the Farm Bureau and the Chemical Council to negotiate the rules and program material, implementing the first program of its kind in the nation; as a Director of Border and Immigration Issues for then-Governor Ann W. Richards, where she served as liaison between the State of Texas and the Mexican Government at both the state and federal level. Governor Richards appointed her as the State Refugee Coordinator with the U.S. Department of State to manage federal refugee resettlement grants in Texas; and finally, as a Senior Research Analyst for the Comptroller of Public Accounts where she contributed to such publications as Bordering the Future, Fiscal Notes, and State Functions at the Texas-Mexico Border.  

Sandra then became Executive Director of Texas Rural Communities, Inc., a non-profit organization created in 1934 to serve rural areas with loans and grants. In her capacity as Executive Director, she oversaw a loan portfolio that includes farm, ranch and small business loans and an annual grant program that serves non-profits in rural areas throughout Texas. She became a sought-after Board Member on various boards and commissions. She served as Treasurer of the Board for the Texas Mezzanine Fund, a for-profit community development corporation certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE), a member of the Board and Management Committee of Ballet Austin, and previously served as president of the Buda Economic Development Corporation.  

She was an activist and community leader in the Texas Democratic Party, having served as State Treasurer, as well as a local precinct chair. Sandra was the first female to serve as the President of the State Tejano Democrats and will be missed greatly by the Tejano and Hays County Democrats due to her continual work to help elect qualified individuals, and specifically people of color.  She is a graduate of Leadership Texas 1989 class, which she participated in yearly reunions with her classmates, who will miss her dearly. Also, over the years, she received recognitions as an Outstanding Women in Texas Government and Outstanding Mexican American Business and Professional Women.  

Sandra has a distinguished list of accomplishments, but what she was most proud of was the relationships she formed over her lifetime. She adored her family and friends. Some friendships started in grade school and lasted her lifetime. Some began more recently, but she cherished all of her friends deeply. She always rooted for the underdog and thrived on mentoring and lifting people up.  

She is survived by her daughter Cari Ledesma, and daughter-in law Misty. She has grandchildren Isaac, Ivorie (husband - Rob), and the "chifladas" - Skylar and Lennon. She is also survived by her mother Flo Tenorio, her brother Sam Tenorio, Jr., his wife Angie and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.