Photo by Diane Poole.
Sandra Vernon, left, has long been a fixture in Trussville City Schools, serving as administrative assistant to the superintendent. On Sept. 1, she stepped into a part-time role, though those who know her say she’s unlikely to slow down anytime soon. Here she trains Lori Walker, who is stepping into Sandra’s current full-time role.
For decades, if someone in Trussville needed to find an answer — about the schools, the people, or the community — the advice was often the same: “Call Sandra.”
Sandra Vernon has long been a fixture in Trussville City Schools, serving as administrative assistant to the superintendent. She is stepping into a part-time role, though those who know her say she’s unlikely to slow down anytime soon.
A Trussville native and graduate of Hewitt-Trussville High School, Sandra grew up as Sandra Cato. She married her high school sweetheart, David Vernon, and together they raised two sons, Ryan and Drew. Today, her family includes a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.
Vernon began working in the school system in 2005 and has been known for her discretion, reliability and calm problem-solving. She’s respected for handling sensitive information professionally and for offering support behind the scenes when others needed it most.
Former Rotary Club president Kristi Bradford compared her to a safety net at a circus — rarely the focus of attention, but always there when someone falls. “You don’t notice the safety net until you need it,” Bradford said, “but when you do, you’re deeply grateful it’s strong and dependable. That’s how Sandra serves our community.”
Vernon joined the Trussville Daybreak Rotary Club in 2014, serving as president in 2018-2019 and as secretary since 2020. Her work has supported initiatives including scholarships for local students, Rotary Readers, district grant projects like the Main Street clock and playground equipment, and seasonal service drives. She also manages internal club operations, including reminders, attendance and meeting records.
Her volunteer roles extend across Trussville: she’s active at Trussville First Methodist Church, serves on the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce board, and has coordinated the city’s storm shelters since 2016. She also volunteers with TEAM ministries and several other community activities.
She has been selected for Class 4 of Leadership Trussville, beginning in September. Past recognitions include the 2018 CLAS District 6 Secretary of the Year award and the 2019 Ned and Goldie Paine Memorial Gatekeeper of the Year award.
While Vernon prefers to stay out of the spotlight, colleagues often credit her with small gestures that make a big difference. Whether organizing community events or handling daily logistics, she’s become known for simply stepping in and saying, “Why don’t you let me help with that?”
