Sandra C Orr

Sandy was born on December 3, 1948 in Nashville, Tennessee, the daughter of Neil and Jewel (King) Caldwell. She married David G. Orr on February 28, 1966. She was a graduate of Franklin High School (Franklin, TN).

Over the years, Sandy, David and their boys lived in many cities — from Louisville, Kentucky and Evansville, Indiana to Baltimore, Maryland and Jacksonville, Florida. It did not matter where the family lived or to where they traveled, her heart always longed for the Tennessee countryside where she was born and raised. She loved the backroads, and often commented that she much preferred visiting the countryside of the various countries she and David visited rather than the metropolitan cities. In the last several years, she spent as much time as she could at her treasured second home known to family as “Grandma’s House” in Franklin, Tennessee.

Sandy will be remembered for her southern charm, sweet tea and unsurpassed love of Christmas. She is known for spreading Christmas joy wherever she went. In her best years, she would decorate 14 or more full-sized Christmas trees, each with a unique theme. She taught numerous individuals how to decorate the “Sandy Claus” way, and was the catalyst for many people either starting new (or enriching existing) Christmas traditions in their own families. Sandy adored everything about the Christmas season— the decorations, the scent in the air, and perhaps most importantly, a time of year where people seem kinder, more thoughtful and generous. She lived every day of her life with those three qualities, and managed to spread joy and love to everyone she met. She had a magnetic personality; to know her was to love her. She made fast friends with just about everyone she met, and those friendships transcended the passage of time. In her leisure time, Sandy enjoyed tea parties with her granddaughters, sporting events with her grandsons, travelling, gardening, bird watching and decorating,

In addition to her husband David of nearly 50 years, she is survived by her brother Bill Caldwell of Franklin, Tennessee; three sons, Jeff (Mary) of Nashville, Tennessee, John (Lynn) of Jacksonville, Florida and Michael (Andrea) of Franklin, Tennessee; and two “adopted” sons, Bobby (Stephanie) Corbett of Jacksonville, Florida and Mustafa (Catherine) Amani of San Antonio, Texas. She leaves five grandchildren to cherish her memory, Brandon, John, Lauren, Lily and Julianne Orr, as well as many “adopted” grandchildren. Sandy had many life-long friends with whom she closely shared life’s joys; too numerous to name them all.

Her family would like to thank her oncologist Dr. Vivek Roy of the Mayo Clinic for giving the Orr family nine beautiful, fun-filled years. Special thanks also goes to all of her Mayo nurses: Tammy, Amy, Kitt and now retired case worker, Linda, for their care, love and compassion. These incredible individuals were more than just medical staff to Sandy; they were her friends. Thank you for the tremendous love and support of our family. Please help us celebrate the life of an amazing woman.

Words of comfort can be left at www.HardageGiddensOaklawnChapel.com. HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Boulevard, is serving the family.