Loraine Sands

Loraine Sands, age 96, of Lockwood, Missouri, passed away on June 26, 2026, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home, in Lockwood, after a long illness.

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

Loraine was raised in a loving Christian home where the family faithfully attended church twice each Sunday and on Wednesday evenings.

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

Loraine began her career as a factory worker in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, where she met the love of her life, Bob, while they were eating lunch at a local café. 

On December 16, 1949, Bob and Loraine were married by a justice of the peace in Weaubleau, Missouri.

Shortly after their marriage, Bob was drafted into the U.S. Air Force, and they moved to Portland, Oregon, where they lived for four years while he served his country.

On January 24, 1960, Loraine and Bob welcomed their son, Neal.

Over the years, Bob and Loraine lived in several communities before settling in Lockwood, Missouri, in 1973, where they made their permanent home.

Loraine commuted to Schreiber Foods in Carthage, Missouri, 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, where she worked until retiring in 1984.

In 1985, Bob suffered a stroke that left him severely disabled. Loraine devoted herself to his care until his passing on July 29, 1986.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lockwood since 1973.

After Bob’s death, Loraine enjoyed traveling on bus tours and spending time playing cards with her friends.

Loraine had been a resident of Good Shepherd Nursing Home since May 2017.

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: Nathan Sands, Eric (Crystal) Sands, and Kayla (David) Goings; and her five great-grandchildren: Brinley Clair, Kyson Goings, Rowan Goings, Howard Sands, and Arlo Sands.

We would like to sincerely thank the staff of the Good Shepherd Nursing Home for their excellent care of my mother that she received for the past nine years.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Greenfield Funeral Chapel.  Burial followed in Lockwood Cemetery.  

The family received 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.  

Online condolences may be shared at www.greenfieldfuneralchapel.com. 

Services were under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.