Sandra Greer Burkholder

Sandra Greer Burkholder of Tallahassee, Florida passed away on July 21, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was 81 years old. Sandy was friendly, optimistic, and cared deeply for the people in her life. She made lifelong friendships wherever she went. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Daniel Burkholder, for almost 59 years. Together, they raised three children and have five grandchildren. Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Pearl Greer, her sister Betty Greer, and her cousin Mike Henry. She is survived by her husband Daniel, her brother Dolph, her three children Greer, Jonathan, and Adam, her five grandchildren Clara, Nicholas, Colin, Rhett, and Elias, her many nieces and nephews, among them Eric Weisel, Elizabeth Greer, and Tony Greer, and countless dear friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Sandy was born in Lakeland, Florida on March 13, 1944. She grew up in Fort Meade, Florida, a close-knit small town that she loved and spoke of fondly all her life. Her father was the plant manager of the Alturas Pride Citrus Company and an active member of the community. Her mother was a homemaker and devoted mother of three. Sandy grew up in a house her father built himself, surrounded by orange and grapefruit trees. She attended Fort Meade High School where she was a writer for the student newspaper, captain of the cheerleading team, and a leader in the student government. She stayed connected to close high school friends for the rest of her life. Graduating in 1962, she continued to Florida State University where she majored in English and earned a master’s degree in Reading Education. At FSU, Sandy was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She remained an active Tri Delt alumna for many years afterwards, traveling to reunions with her former sorority sisters and volunteering as an adviser to the FSU chapter. Sandy married Dan on August 6, 1966, and settled permanently in Tallahassee where they raised their children. She was a devoted mother, endlessly encouraging and confident in her kids, genuinely interested in every part of their lives, and truly delighted to be their mom. She worked as an English and Reading teacher and tutor for almost 25 years, showing patience and care and often working with struggling students. She spent another 20 years working at the Florida Department of Education where she helped with curriculum development and community college programs. Sandy retired in 2011. In retirement, she loved spending time with her grandchildren, showing them the same joy and support as she did her kids. A lover of classical music, she returned to piano lessons in her seventies. She also had her family’s heirloom furniture meticulously restored. Throughout her adult life, Sandy was an involved member of First Presbyterian Church. Among other roles, she served on the session, taught children’s Sunday school, organized picnics and dinners, helped run Vacation Bible School, and served as president of Presbyterian Women. She was an active member of circle for many years. At First Presbyterian she had a community of close, lifelong friendships, and she often spoke about her deep gratitude for the church and those friends. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 on Friday, August 1. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Endowment Fund of First Presbyterian Church. Niki Carney of Bevis Funeral Home (www.bevisfh.com or 850-385-2193) is assisting the Burkholder family with their arrangements.

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Sandra Greer Burkholder

March 13, 1944 - July 21, 2025