HUD MOURNS SANDRA CHAVIS, DIRECTOR OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

WASHINGTON - Sandra D. Chavis, who joined the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1978 and rose to the position of Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity last September, died Saturday after suffering a heart attack. She was 50 years old.

In a message sent to all HUD employees, Secretary Andrew Cuomo said: "Above all, Sandi was someone who believed in the mission of this Department, and who believed in the people of HUD. Her hard work has benefited people throughout this Department and throughout this nation. People who never met her, people who never even heard her name, are in better housing and in better jobs because of Sandi Chavis….. In her all-too-short life, she taught us by her example what it means to be a dedicated and effective public servant, and what it means to be a kind and caring human being."

Ms. Chavis previously served in several positions in HUD's Office of Human Resources, including Deputy Director, and also served in the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. In addition, she worked in HUD's Fort Worth, TX office for four years beginning in 1984.

Before joining HUD, Ms. Chavis worked for five years at the Social Security Administration in San Francisco, California. She was a graduate of North Carolina Central University in Durham.

The funeral for Ms. Chavis will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in the First Baptist Church in her hometown of Parkton, North Carolina. A memorial service will be held at HUD headquarters in the next several days.

Ms. Chavis lived with her husband, George Anderson, in Falls Church, Virginia. She is also survived by her son, her parents, four brothers, two sisters, and three grandchildren.