Sandra K. Carpenter

Sandra (Sandy) Katherine Carpenter, 74, passed away Sept. 5, 2021, in Georgetown, Texas, from heart failure and complications due to long-term Multiple Sclerosis. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, http:// www.nationalmssociety.org.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Don Carpenter; son, Jeff Carpenter; daughter, Lisa Adkins; daughter-in-law, Marcy Carpenter; son-in-law, Mark Adkins; and three grandchildren, Elizabeth Carpenter, Madison Adkins and Christopher Carpenter.

Sandy had successful careers in banking, real estate and property management, but was most proud of spending 12 years working with her family as the co-founder and editor of the Greater Hot Springs’ Senior Edition newspaper, where her efforts impacted thousands of lives for the better.

Sandy never, ever met a stranger. If you met her once, chances are she knows your name and how many kids you have. If you met her twice, she knew where you grew up, where your kids went to school and probably their favorite dessert. The third time? You had a friend for life.

And there was nothing better than being friends with Sandy Carpenter. If you are reading this, you are undoubtedly nodding your head. She truly, deeply, cared. Not Facebook-post cared. But call you/visit you/ love you ‘til it hurts cared. That was Sandy.

The only thing better than being friends with Sandy Carpenter was being her grandchild. She rarely wore a piece of clothing that didn’t have a grandkid’s name, photo or finger painting on it. Although she took no mercy on them when playing Trouble, Apples to Apples, or Rat-a-tat Cat, she would always make it up to them with the best snickerdoodles and tightest hugs in the world. That was Grammy.

The only thing better than being Sandy’s grandchild was being one of her children. She never once missed a baseball game, cheerleading competition or dance recital … even if Jeff or Lisa sat the bench or the recital was a dud. She was always there for us; never judging, always cheering (Loud!), and loving us unconditionally. That was Mom.

The only thing better than being Sandy’s child was being her husband. Sandy was in a tremendous amount of physical pain most of her life, but no one complained less or fought harder than her. And no one did more to try to ease her pain and lift her spirits than Don, her high school sweetheart. He was relentless in looking for solutions to help Sandy, and never gave up no matter what any doctor said. And she would have done the same for him. That was Sandra Katherine Teresa Schader Carpenter Jr. … the love of Don’s life.

We hope you enjoy sipping your cold coke in Heaven, Grammy. You earned it. We love you to the moon and back.