Sandra Coke Mizelle

Sandra Sue Coke Mizelle, 85, a cherished wife and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2025, in Goldsboro, NC, after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She lived a life that was a testament to her unwavering love and devotion,leaving behind a legacy of warmth and compassion.
Sandra was born on December 3, 1939, in Topeka, Kansas to Dana D. and Myrna S. Coke,where she grew up in a close and loving home. She attended Topeka High School, graduating in 1957 and then attended Stormont-Vail Nursing School, graduating in 1960. She worked as an emergency room nurse, then pediatric nurse until 1964 when motherhood called her away from nursing. After raising her family, she returned to nursing in 1983 where she would work as a dermatology nurse for the next 30 years before retiring.
In 1962, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Ray Mizelle. During the next five years, their family grew to include three children: Michael, Amy, and David.
In 1970, they moved to Raleigh, North Carolina where they would raise their family for the next 16 years before building their dream house in the country, moving to Youngsville, NC. Sandra proudly made the transition to "Southerner", embracing barbecue, collards and even learned to say "ya'll".
As a child, Sandra was introduced to travelling early. Her family (Mom, Dad, brother and grandparents) ventured out by car every summer for several weeks. By the time she reached adulthood, she had visited 48 states, and she managed to visit the last two as an adult. She loved to travel and cruise with her devoted husband and travel partner, Kenneth. Together, they explored some of the most amazing places on earth. From Hawaii to Rome, Spain, and even Paris, they were always together. Although she couldn't swim, she still loved to book a cruise, and together they experienced countless tropical islands as well as Alaska and the Panama Canal.
If she wasn't travelling, she loved to work in her yard and garden. She loved to be outside listening to the birds and squirrels, watching hummingbirds, listening to the water flow in the water garden, or just soaking up nature. She could also be found working on countless craft projects. From cross-stitch and embroidery to basket weaving and toll painting. She could do it all.
Sandra and Kenneth spent the early 1970's building a cabin at Lake Gaston where their family could be found on countless weekends and during the summer. It wasn't unusual to find Sandra up before light to go fishing, building campfires to roast hot dogs, or even helping the kids catch all kinds of critters, from lizards and salamanders to lightning bugs. She was always a trooper and up for an adventure.
Sandra dearly loved children – from babies on up, and that love was showered on her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were truly the lights of her life, and she cherished the time she was able to spend with them.
It would be impossible to share all the wonderful things Sandra did as a devoted wife and mother as there never seemed to be anything she couldn't or wouldn't do for her family. She was always their biggest supporter, and she always made sure they knew how much she loved them. She was passionate about family and always kept in touch with them, even though many were not nearby. She was a steadfast friend and during her life she made many strong and lasting friendships. She will be forever loved and missed by them all.
Sandra was preceded in death by her mother, Myrna S. Coke, her father, Dana D. Coke and her stepmother, Mary Jane Coke.
She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Kenneth Ray Mizelle; her three children Michael Mizelle (Michelle) of Wilkesboro, NC; Amy M Howell (Douglas) of Pikeville, NC; and David Mizelle of New Bern, NC; four grandchildren, Jason Howell (Meredith); Amanda Howell (Justin); Christopher Mizelle; and Sarah Mizelle (Tyler); and five great-grandchildren, Owen Mooring, Charlotte Howell, Caroline Mooring, Mackenzie Call, and Ethan Howell. She also leaves behind her brother, Richard L. Coke (Barbara) of Fremont, Nebraska; a special sister-in-law, Patsy Waddell of Newport News, VA and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins who were very dear to her heart.
Special thanks to Helping Hands Assisted Living for the loving care they showed to Sandra and her family during the last 2 years. Also, a very special thank you to Angela Lizak and Amanda Howell (granddaughter), both with Gentiva Hospice. We could never have made it through without your compassionate, understanding and loving care during the last year. We were truly blessed to have you there to help us navigate these difficult times---you are both the epitome of what it means to be hospice nurses and have found your true callings in life.
The family deeply appreciates your support during this difficult time and asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either Gentiva Hospice, 2309 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27530 or online by clicking here or Helping Hands Assisted Living, 2502 US Hwy 70 West, Goldsboro, NC 27530 or online by clicking here.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 10:00AM at the Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service ~ Letchworth Chapel in Scotland Neck with Rev. Paul Spradley officiating. There will be a private burial at Old Trinity Episcopal Cemetery in Scotland Neck.
Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service ~ Letchworth Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Mizelle family and online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sandra Coke Mizelle, please visit our floral store.