Loraine Sands

Loraine Sands, 96, of Lockwood, passed away on June 26, 2026, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home, in Lockwood.

She was born on Sept. 5, 1929, in Blackjack, to Bailey and Ada (Thompson) Witt. She was the youngest of eight children and had seven older brothers.

She attended a one-room schoolhouse during her elementary years and later continued her education at Christian schools.

She began her career as a factory worker in El Dorado Springs, where she met the love of her life, Bob, while they were eating lunch at a local café. On Dec. 16, 1949, Bob and Loraine were married by a justice of the peace in Weaubleau.

She commuted to Schreiber Foods in Carthage, for several years before opening Loraine's Ceramics in the garage of their home in 1974. As the business grew, she purchased a building on Main Street in Lockwood. She taught ceramic classes and manufactured flower pots for a wholesale distributor. In 1979, she sold the business and returned to Schreiber Foods. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lockwood since 1973.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents, Bailey and Ada (Thompson) Witt; and her seven brothers: Curtis Witt, Aubra Witt, Gene Witt, Joe Witt, Lester Witt, Charlie Witt, and Cruso Witt.

Loraine is survived by her son, Neal (Karrie) Sands; her three grandchildren and her five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, at Greenfield Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Lockwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday at 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Good Shepherd Nursing Home. Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.