Sondra Gayle Carr, 76, of Orlando, FL, died on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Sondra was born in Huntsville, Alabama on August 31, 1946 to parents, Vivian and Fred Medders. She spent most of her childhood in Summerville, GA until her father moved his family to Orlando in 1957.
Sondra graduated from Boone High School in 1964 where she met her former husband, Kenneth “Butch” Ganninger, the father of her 3 children, whom she was married to for 25 years.
Sondra studied at Orlando College to become a medical assistant. She worked for Roberts Orthopedics for nearly 30 years.
Sondra was a very loving, generous and kind soul who opened her heart and home to many during her lifetime. She enjoyed hosting parties and large gatherings of family & friends, especially during the holidays. Whether it was Thanksgiving dinner or a 4th of July pool party, it wasn’t uncommon for new faces to be seen around the table as she so often opened her home to those who had nowhere else to go. While she was teased by her family for the many “strays” she brought home, most became permanent fixtures in their family.
Sondra was a passionate Georgia Bulldog fan, loved the movie A Summer Place, occasionally indulged in a well-made pina colada and especially enjoyed splurging on her two grandchildren. She was a champion of animal welfare and supported many organizations whose mission was to protect and care for animals.
Sondra is survived by her son, Marc Ganninger; daughters, Kristi (Andrew) Wilson and Tammy Clelland; grandson, Jackson Turpin; granddaughter, Payton Wilson, her aunt, Nelda Smith, many cousins and 2 grandpuppies.
She is predeceased by her parents, Vivian and Fred Medders, her former husband, Kenneth A. Ganninger and former husband, John A. Carr.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 8th at 1PM at Highland Memory Gardens in Apopka, FL. A reception will be held immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in Sondra’s name to the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. May she be forever surrounded by four-legged animals in heaven.