Sandra Lynne Henderson, born Sandra Lynne Mesimore on October 16, 1940, in Rowan County, North Carolina, to Murry Mesimore Jr. and Blanche Hinson Mesimore, passed away on May 6, 2026, in Long Beach, California. She leaves behind a life story defined by fortitude, compassion, adventure, and the deepest devotion to family.

Sandra spent her childhood in Salisbury, North Carolina. After her mother remarried, the family relocated to Virginia Beach, where Sandra attended high school where she found the independent spirit that would guide her for the rest of her life.

Shortly after high school, Sandra met Jerry Yates at a local roller-skating rink. Their connection was immediate and in May 1960, the two eloped and moved to California.

Their daughter, Jacquelynne, was born in June 1965, followed by their son, Nathan, who was born in October 1971. Sandra found she enjoyed motherhood and found it was easy to wholeheartedly devote herself to family and local community.

While living in Indiana, Sandra discovered what would become her life’s calling: Nursing. After returning permanently to California in 1973, she pursued her nursing education. Through determination and perseverance, she graduated in 1975 and began a long and meaningful career caring for others.

California remained her home for the rest of her life.

Sandra later re-married to Wallace Henderson, with whom she shared many years and another important chapter of her life.

Sandra also possessed a deep curiosity about the world and believed life was meant to be lived fully. She traveled extensively throughout her life, exploring Europe, Russia, China, Australia, and New Zealand. She especially enjoyed road trips across the United States and cherished the time she spent at R-Ranch in Sequoia National Forest, where she found peace, happiness with the people she loved most.

Even with her travels and many pursuits, family always remained the center of Sandra’s life. She cherished holidays, especially Thanksgiving, which she regarded as one of life’s greatest expressions of togetherness, gratitude, cooking, and love.

Sandra will be remembered for her fierce independence, love of cooking, quiet strength and unwavering devotion to family. She navigated life’s many changes with determination and grace while leaving a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to have known her and sit at her table.

She is survived by her children, Jacquelynne Ogle and Nathan Yates; her grandchildren Tiffany, Kyle, and Andrew; her great-grandchildren Parker and Nolan; and many extended family members and loved ones who will continue to honor and carry her recipes and memory forward.

From North Carolina to California, from newspapers to nursing, and from motherhood to great-grand-motherhood, Sandra’s life was one of perseverance, exploration, self-expression and love. 

Her memory will remain deeply cherished by all who knew her.