
SAUNDRA SUE COPELAND WINOKUR
On Monday, March 22 2021, Saundra “Sandy” Sue Copeland Winokur passed peacefully from this world while at her home in Elmendorf, Texas near San Antonio after a long illness.
Sandy is preceded in death by her husband, Stephen C. Winokur, her father, H.E. Copeland and her mother, Virginia Copeland. She is survived by her sister, Virginia Gail Bartlett, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, her nephews, Edward Fuller Butler III, of Tallahassee, Florida, Michael Brennan Butler of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jack Butler of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Miles Kehoe of New Orleans, Louisiana, her nieces, Virginia Butler Kehoe, of New Orleans, Louisiana, Kate Kehoe of New Orleans, Louisiana, Claire Kehoe of New Orleans, Louisiana, Brennan Butler of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Isabel Butler of Tallahassee, Florida.
Sandy was born in San Antonio, Texas on July 9, 1939.
Sandy graduated from Austin College. After receiving her teaching certification, she taught in Texas, California, and in Europe. Sandy graduated with a M.A. from Texas Christian University, a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at Bowling Green State University. After receiving her Ph.D., Sandy taught psychology as a university professor for several years at TCU and other colleges. Sandy then relocated with her late husband to Chicago and New York City where she took art classes and developed her innate talent for visual arts. She was adept at painting, drawing, and sculpture. Sandy also illustrated several children’s books.
Sandy had a passion for travel and was particularly captivated by Tuscany, with its magnificent landscape and verdant olive groves. In 1995, Sandy, a proud Texan, purchased acreage in Elmendorf on fallow land near San Antonio. Sandy had lived and travelled all over the world, but Texas remained her beloved home. Descended from six generations of Texas ranchers, Sandy had a dream of establishing an olive farm much like the ones she said seen in Italy and Spain. Sandy defied the naysayers and skeptics who told her that it was impossible to commercially cultivate olives in Texas. After a difficult start, Sandy not only successfully grew olives on her Sandy Oaks Ranch, she also harvested enough olives to press her own olive oil, and manufactured many culinary and cosmetic products from her productive groves. Sandy eventually added a restaurant, guided tours, and event planning to her Sandy Oaks Ranch and became a fixture in the San Antonio community, where she belonged to several philanthropic and culinary organizations. Years after leaving the classroom, Sandy still perceived herself as educator and gave many lectures on the challenges and joys of olive cultivation in Texas. Sandy generously shared her knowledge with those who also had a passion for olives. Sandy, who loved teaching and art, stated “I am still teaching, I just have a different venue and I am still doing art, this land is my canvas.”
Sandy treated everyone with dignity and compassion. She remained eternally optimistic and full of good cheer despite a long struggle with cancer. She was beloved by her family, friends, colleagues, and employees. Sandy touched many lives and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the SPCA and the American Cancer Society.
