Lola Peterson Sanford's Obituary
On August 31, 2020, Lola Sanford passed peacefully into her heavenly home. Lola was born on July 29, 1928 in Marshalltown, Iowa to her parents Leona and Charles Peterson. She grew up in Tulsa, OK, and in high school moved to Dallas where she made her lifelong home. She graduated from Vickery Hillcrest High School and attended SMU where she graduated with a BS degree in Home Economics and was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.
It was at SMU that she had a blind date with her future husband, Robert Fulton Sanford, Jr. on August 16, 1947. It was love from the beginning and they married 3 years later on October 20, 1950. This October they would have celebrated 70 years of marriage. They established their home together in Dallas and became longtime residents of Lake Highlands. They had 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren. The 22 “Great Ones”, as she called them, were the delight of her heart. Lola loved her role as loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and was a special friend to so many.
She had a long list of community service in each of her home communities. In Lake Highlands, Lola was the 7th President of the Lake Highlands Women’s League and enjoyed being Girl Scout, Y-Teen, and Cub Scout leader for her children. Lola had a lifelong love for horses and helped to start her weekly riding group, The Saddlebags, while living in Lake Highlands. In the early 1980’s, they purchased the Lazy S Ranch to board the five horses they had in Dallas. Then, five years later they made the ranch their home in the Van Alstyne area. Lola and Bob were immediately connected with their new community and church, First United Methodist Church of Van Alstyne. She enjoyed her involvement with her church activities and continued riding with the Saddlebags weekly. Lola also supported ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in Van Alstyne, Grayson County College, and several local hospitals including Texoma Medical Center, Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Dallas and McKinney, Presbyterian Dallas, and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. In 2018, the Van Alstyne school district named their new elementary school, the Bob and Lola Sanford Elementary because of their generosity to the community.
Lola was an avid reader, enjoyed playing bridge, attending book clubs, and many trail riding trips with Bob, her children and grandchildren to Missouri every year. They enjoyed riding in Oklahoma, Arkansas,Tennessee, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming as well. She had many “Happy Trails” and wonderful memories with her family and friends. She had a long list of favorite horses, but Miss Kitty, Amber, and Lucky were at the top of the list. Lola made the Lazy S Ranch an integral place in our hearts, as it was always the gathering spot for our family celebrations, birthdays, and holidays. Lola was dearly loved by her friends and she took a special interest in many young women and encouraged them along the way. She had several who referred to themselves as her “adopted” daughters through the years.
Of all her interests and hobbies, being the wife of Bob Sanford, was the highlight of her life. She devoted her days to loving and supporting him at home and in his business. She provided a gracious home for Bob and their children based on a devoted love that was evident even in her last days. She always asked when we talked to her, “How’s Daddy?” She never stopped caring for her family & friends. Her loyalty, strength, and faithfulness impacted our hearts and was a constant example to our family of a godly woman as described in Proverbs 31. She truly was a special blessing in our lives, and we will be forever grateful that the Lord gave her to our family and for the legacy of love she has left in our hearts.
Lola is survived by her husband, Bob Sanford; daughter, Nancy & Frank Hinckley; daughter, Beverly & Rick Marr; son, Doug & Diann Sanford; Grandchildren: Brian & Sarah Marr; Taylor & Amanda Hinckley; Brenda & Drew Bird; John & Kate Hinckley; Scott Hinckley & fiancee’ Alyssa Alspaw; Annie & Jonathan Houston; Robert & Ally Sanford; Catherine & Clay Coleman; Ali & Sean LeNeave; and Sallie Sanford; Nieces & Nephews; Cindy & Bud Longueville; Laura & John Holland; Ben Peterson; and Deba Peterson; Great-grandchildren: Camp, Cooper & Colt Marr; Knox, Caroline & Holland Hinckley; Jake, Norah, & Annie Bird; Ford, Hannah Rose & Hunter Hinckley; Lola, James & Dottie Houston; Fulton & Grayson Sanford; Callie & Caleb Coleman; Liam, Harper & Mack LeNeave. Lola was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Charles Donald “Pete” Peterson.
The family would like to gratefully acknowledge the Landing at Watermere in Frisco and CarePlus Hospice for the nurses, caregivers, and staff who so lovingly cared for Miss Lola this past year. We feel sure she is blowing you all kisses from heaven and expressing her thankfulness for your kindness to her.
A Memorial Service and celebration of her life will be conducted on Wednesday, September 9th, 2020 at 11 AM in the sanctuary of St. Andrew United Methodist Church – 5801 W. Plano Parkway – Plano, TX 75093. The service will be conducted by Reverend Jerry Jones of First United Methodist Church of Van Alstyne and Reverend Arthur Jones of St. Andrews United Methodist Church of Plano. The service will be “socially distanced” and masks are required by the church. If you don’t have one, they will be available at the entrance of the sanctuary.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Lola’s name be directed to:
First United Methodist Church of Van Alstyne
301 South Preston Street
Van Alstyne, TX 75495
Van Alstyne Education Foundation
PO Box 1620
Van Alstyne, TX 75495
ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship
3160 N. Custer Road
McKinney, TX 75071
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
2222 Welborn Street
Dallas, TX 75219
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