Sandra Langley was born in Edgecombe County to Preston Grey Shelton, Jr. and Gladys Shelton Pitt. She attended South Edgecombe from 1966-1970. She was the Vice President of the National Honor Society and an honor graduate, ranking No. 3 in her graduating class. She played basketball at South Edgecombe from 1966-70. She was a co-captain in 1969 and 1970 and was named All-Tournament in 1969, All-Conference in 1970 and First Team All East in 1970.

Langley attended Barton from 1970-1974 and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Physical Education. She was also a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society. She played volleyball and basketball for Barton, and in 1971-72 led the team to a victory over North Carolina State in women’s basketball.

After graduating from Barton she attended East Carolina University, where she received her Masters of Education in 1977. She has taught and coached in junior high and high schools, including W.A. Woodard, North Edgecombe, West Edgecombe Junior, and Southwest Edgecombe. She was named North Edgecombe High School Teacher of the Year in 1977; Edgecombe County Teacher of the Year in 1977 and West Edgecombe Teacher of the Year in 1980. She has served as Physical Educational Departmental Chairperson and Athletic Director at Southwest Edgecombe.

She coached 10 straight conference championships in girls basketball at Southwest Edgecombe and won the state 3A Championships in 1981 and 1982. Her overall record is 354 wins and 102 losses, which ranked her as the eighth winningest active girls basketball coach in North Carolina.

She is married to Gerald Alex Langley. They have two sons, Shelton Greg and William Alex.