When Amos Lee Gandy and Ruby Mae Gandy looked down at their newborn daughter, who they named Cynthia Joy Gandy , they had a feeling that she would be a very special girl, the fourth child born to them, nearly ten years after their other three girls, twins Fredericka and Frances, and then Jackie.

Cynthia was born on December 6, 1953 and was a delightful addition to the family. She was a happy baby and when it was time for her to attend school, she sailed through her learning with ease. Cynthia attended Washington Elementary School, Hughes-Quinn Junior High, and East St. Louis Senior High School. Cynthia furthered her studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and became a "page" in the White House under the presidency of Richard Nixon. Cynthia also attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She received her Bachelor's degree at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois.

Cynthia enjoyed a career of service at Monsanto Chemical Company and various banking assignments. She was also an accomplished pianist, having studied the piano at Ludwig Studios in St. Louis. Cynthia also played the Oboe and Clarinet, Cynthia enjoyed her family of eight girls, where she was the fourth born. Her grandmother, the late Georgia Nicholson Sands, was so tickled to welcome Cynthia into the family until she spoiled her with a lot of pretty clothes and many pairs of the same patent-leather shoes. Cynthia excelled in every project she undertook until health challenges began to become concerning much of her adult life. Since childhood Cynthia was a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis, and at an early age she professed her hope in Christ and was baptized by Rev. Walter Buford Rouse. Cynthia always believed that, "God will take care of me."

Cynthia was preceded in death by her parents, Amos Lee and Ruby Mae James-Gandy; 3 sisters, Fredericka Jean Gandy Graham, Frances Virginia Gandy Brown, and Amie Lynette Gandy; nephew, Warren Joel Johnson.

Cynthia departed this life on February 28, 2025 . She leaves to cherish her memory her four sisters, Jacqueline Faye Gandy Johnson, Sharon June Gandy Ward, Winifred Dawn Gandy Robinson, and Charmyn Tracy Gandy; nephews, Terrance (Maria) Brown, Keith Brown, Joshua Ball, Jeremiah Ball, Jason Bean, and Courtney Ward, Jr.; nieces, Amin Mohorn, Arrie Mohorn, Keisha Brown, Whitney Bean, Wendi Bean, Kendra Dailey; special cousins, George Glenn Tolbert, Joseph Hicks and Jeffrey Nicholson, and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.