Sandra Lynn Buice

Sandra Lynn Buice, age 66, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by loved ones on September 4, 2025.

Sandy was born the youngest daughter of Bob and Kathryn Buice and raised in the Sharon community of Forsyth County. Gifted with an untamed spirit, by age five she had discovered a love of riding horses and minibikes. She helped on the family cattle farm and was a good cowhand for her Pop Buice. Sandy was drawn to the wonders of nature and could not be kept indoors. Throughout her life she was often found watching the birds, sitting around a fire or meditating. Always a listener, many people sought Sandy's company. Animals loved her and fought for her lap, which was a place of comfort.

A 1976 graduate of Forsyth County High School, Sandy was employed by Hercules, Inc. for 20 years. Through her own drive, taking classes on AutoCAD and self-teaching, she was promoted to Design Engineer. Her job took her throughout the country, designing and installing chemical pumping systems for papermills. She often spoke of taking her dad with her to share these adventures.

Sandy was driven by excitement. She loved life and sought all knowledge, traveling for pleasure as often as possible. She lived for a time on a houseboat on Lake Lanier where she enjoyed entertaining family and friends. Sandy was daring and unafraid to take risks. She loved riding a motorcycle on the open road and spent many hours winding through the North Georgia mountains. She earned her pilot’s license, and her family fondly remembers Sandy flying her dad’s Cessna 150 out of Mathis Airport and performing a barrel roll with undeniable swagger.

Sandy was most proud of her 20-year service in the Georgia Air National Guard where she received the Georgia Commendation Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal. She broke barriers becoming the first female Master Sergeant in the fighting 118th Tactical Control Squadron at Kennesaw, Georgia, and received special commendation for a superior inspection of her unit.

Her last chapter brought her home to the North Georgia mountains with her wife, Alexis, where they lived several years “on the mountain” in their homestead near the Chestatee River. Sandy lived a healthy and vibrant life up until her ALS diagnosis in December 2024. She bravely faced this disease as it rapidly progressed, seeking spiritual knowledge, and, towards the end, her message was said out loud: Love one another and be true to the teachings of the unconditional love of Jesus. Sandy will forever be in our hearts, as a loving wife, sister, aunt and friend.

Sandy is preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Kathryn Buice; brother, Bobby Buice, Jr. and great-nephew, Will Fagan. She is survived by her loving wife of 18 years, Alexis Leach. She is further survived by sisters, Kathy (Terry) Mathis and Debbie (Wayne) Bagley; sisters-in-law, Malissa Buice and Heather Westbrook; father-in-law, George Leach; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families, all who were precious to Sandy; as well as children and grandchildren she loved from her relationship with her previous partner, Judie Lindsey: Michelle Imperato, Jeremy Myers and their families.

Special thanks to the Agape Hospice team: Maggie, Abby, Yama, Liz and Kwaku; to every family member who sat with Sandy and gave unconditional support to her wife; and lastly, to every neighbor on Fox Mountain who came to the rescue during storms and falls, especially Roger.

A celebration of Sandy’s life will be held at Brookwood Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 2775 Brookwood Rd, Cumming, GA 30041 on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 11 AM. Friends and family are invited to gather to share memories of Sandy and enjoy a meal together.

Those desiring to send flowers in memory of Sandy should have them delivered to Brookwood Baptist Church the morning of the service.

Ingram Funeral Home, 210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed online at ingramfuneralhome.com.