Sandra Lancaster, 83, left this world and entered Heaven on June 12, 2025.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Paris, Texas. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Sandra was born on January 7, 1942, and raised in Paris, Texas. She lived a life full of joy, activity, travel, and a deep love of the outdoors. Sandra loved her family and friends fiercely. She was always determined to spend time with them, cook for them, and care for them. With a heart rooted in acts of service, Sandra gave of herself freely – not only to those closest to her but also to many others fortunate enough to cross her path.
Sandra and her beloved husband spent their days adventuring together – traveling the country by motorcycle, camping, and even taking dance lessons. They were blessed with three children, whom they raised to love the outdoors and a life of adventure, just as Sandra did.
Nearly 45 years ago, she transitioned from being called ”Momma” and ”Mother” to ”NaNa” – a name that came to define her legacy of love. She was NaNa not only to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, but to many other children who found warmth and comfort in her home. If a child ended up at her house, they likely walked away calling her NaNa, too.
NaNa’s home was a place of love and abundance. She welcomed every little ”turkey” running around, waking them on weekends with the smell of sizzling bacon and ending Sundays with hearty Southern dinners.
Mornings often found NaNa on the back porch, sipping coffee and working crossword puzzles. She was known for her legendary sweet tea (thick enough to be syrup unless poured over ice), her holiday chicken dressing, tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches, homemade mashed potatoes (with extra butter and black pepper), and a collection of sweet treats – fudge, Whitman’s chocolate boxes, homemade pies, and Snowballs
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Sandra loved big, served big, and cooked big. Her generosity extended to her family, her friends, and her Oak Creek/The Oaks community. Her love made others feel safe, calm, and deeply cherished. To walk into her home was to feel instantly embraced – so much so that it was often joked her vents must have been filled with chloroform, because you couldn’t help but fall into a deep, contented rest.
Her gentle smile and sparkling pale blue eyes will live on in our memories, photographs, and hearts.
Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and ”Susie” Parker; her siblings, Diane, Jimmy, and Patricia; and her dear friend, Betty.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Carl Lee; her brother, Tommy; her children, Carla, Cindy, and Kevin (and their spouses); her grandchildren, Jeremy, Randi, Misti, Cristina, Jackie, and Diana (and their spouses); her great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and her cherished friends, Monica, Debbie, and Marie.
