Sandra Kay Longmire Fraser, 79.999, of Greenville, passed away on August 19, 2023, in Greenville.
Sandi was born September 1, 1943, in Fort Myers, FL to Robbie Fay Montgomery and James H. Findley at the US Army Base hospital. Her father’s bomber was shot down in WWII shortly after her birth. Edward William (Bill) Longmire, best friend of James promised to care for Robbie and Sandi should he not return from the war. True to his word, Bill fell in love with them both, married Robbie, and adopted Sandi as his own when she was 5 years old.
Sandi grew up moving quite a bit during her childhood due to her father’s job as an oil and gas geologist. They finally landed back in Dallas where she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1961. Sandi then graduated from East Texas State University with a degree in Art and was a proud Kappa Delta sorority member. She then went on to marry John Kennie Smith, teach kindergarten, and raise her two children, Kendra and Kyle. Her daughter was nicknamed KD out of her devotion to the sorority. Her son, Kyle, was named after Kyle Rote, Sr., who was an All-American Running Back for the SMU Mustangs.
Sandi loved painting, drawing, and designing cross-stitch patterns and all things quilts and crafts. She took those skills to share with the residents of the nursing homes the family owned. After their divorce, Sandi went on to achieve her Master’s Degree in Psychology and began working as a Juvenile Probation officer in Greenville. It was during this time that she met Loyd R. Fraser of Quinlan who was a Captain with American Airlines. They married in September of 1983 and built a beautiful ranch raising Emus and other livestock near Lindale, Texas. Together, they enjoyed flying in their plane and traveling with friends and family. While their journey ended in divorce many years later, the two remained close and were in contact daily until Loyd’s passing in 2020.
Sandi moved to McKinney and Frisco before making her way back to Greenville as her care needs progressed to Colonial Lodge. She loved visiting with new and old friends and had a strict routine of a glass of chardonnay and Dr. Phil precisely at 3:00 p.m. every day and watching movies with Olan or enjoying Geraldine’s cooking, as well as having meals with her friends at their table. She loved going out to eat and Campisi’s in Dallas was her favorite. She enjoyed her beloved wine, lasagna, and crab claws in her last days with us.
Sandi will be remembered for her incredible art talents, wittiness, and sharp intellect. She was a staunch Republican and enjoyed a good sparring from time to time. She is survived by her daughter, Kendra Dawn Lawson, husband Shawn, son Kyle Reagan Smith and wife, Tamar, grandchildren Andrew Lawson, Sydnee Smith, husband Justin and great-granddaughter, Charlie. Step grandchildren Benn May and Stoney Mitchell, wife Kendall, and children Raylee and Callie. Sandi also loved her stepson, Greg Fraser and his wife, Karen and daughters, Samantha and Maddie as her own. Sandi also leaves behind her best friend, Kay Osburn German whom she spent many years traveling with to Broken Bow and keeping Girls Gone Wine in business. She is preceded in death by her birth father, James Findley, mother Robbie Fay Longmire, and adoptive father, Bill Longmire.
Sandi will be greatly missed by all and the family wishes to thank Shane Kubacak, whom she also considered one of her children, and all the incredible staff of Colonial Lodge for their joy of service, love, and care for her these last 5 years. A special note of thanks to Lonna Rodriguez, her trusty sidekick and partner in crime, whom she loved like family. Also, to Bennie Whytus and Minnis Davis who were steadfast by her side at all times. We are eternally grateful for the companionship and joy you brought her every day. We also wish to express our deep gratitude to the nurses and chaplains of Gentiva Hospice and Briarcliff Nursing and Rehab for their wonderful care.
The family will hold an 80th birthday celebration of life in her honor as we had previously planned on Sept 1st to mark this important milestone. In keeping with her wishes, the party will be held at 3 pm at Lodge of Colonial, complete with her wine, cake, Dr. Phil on the TV, and her favorite CB’s hamburgers as well as birthday cake.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to her favorite charity, St. Jude Hospital for Children, or drop off art supplies to Colonial Lodge for residents to enjoy.
