Sara Lenzer was called home to heaven on Saturday, October 10, 2026, passing away quietly and peacefully from heart failure. Sara suffered for years with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and other associated complications from RA. She was in end stage 4 of RA over the last couple of years. She is preceded by her father Walter Landrith Henson, born in Healdton, OK and Mother Gloria Gay Davis Henson, born in Cisco, TX. She is survived by her husband Bruce Lenzer of Albuquerque, New Mexico, her son John Newton, grandchildren John Newton Jr, Samantha Newton, and Matthew Newton, former daughter-in-law Amy Newton, Stepson Anthony Lenzer and daughter-in-law Lindsay Lenzer, step-grandchildren Dalton, Gracie, Emily, and Carter Lenzer. Brothers, Everett (Lanny), Henson and his sons Aaron and Joshua, Walter Henson, spouse Darlene, their daughters Katherine and Michelle, and sister Pamela Henson-Nelson, and Pam’s children Jerrod and Crystal.
Sara was wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a friend to many whom she met and encountered. She was the great, great granddaughter of Captain Federick Gentry who was a member of the Texas Frontier Militia that later became the Texas Rangers. Captain Gentry also fought along Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto to secure Texas independence from Mexico. Captain Gentry married Rebecca Barnett whose father, Dr. George Washington Barnett, was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Although she never formally joined, this heritage qualified her as Daughter of the Republic of Texas. Captain Gentry and his wife Rebecca are both buried in the IOOF cemetery where Sara will be laid to rest among some of the great men and women who were integral to building the Texas Republic that later became the 28th State in 1845.
Sara was born In Hamilton Texas August 26, 1950. Her family moved to Beaumont, Texas and then to Richardson, Texas where she finished High School. She married Elbert Newton with whom she shared a son John. She divorced in 1981 and went on to finish and secure her four-year degree graduating with honors from University of Texas at Dallas. At the same time, she was completing her final college courses, Sara pursued and obtained a paralegal certificate. She supported Environmental attorneys in a paralegal position at Sun Exploration and Production Company in Dallas, Texas where she met her second husband, Bruce whom she married in July 1982. Sara went on later to support Bruce in their consulting business, Synergy Value Solutions LLC, allowing them to travel domestically and internationally. Sara really enjoyed traveling, meeting people, interfacing with clients, and learning about the cultures outside the USA. Sara also served the Lawrence D. Miles Value Foundation (www.valuefoundation.org) as an officer and Secretary for many years. Several job or project changes led Bruce and Sara to move around the USA, relocating them from Dallas, Texas to Richland, Washington, to Houston, Texas, to Williamsburg, Virgina, and finally to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sara loved the home they built in Alburquerque as it was designed for handicap accessibility and had a fantastic view of the Sandia and Manzano mountains. She loved the area and was happy to be closer to family in Texas and family closer to her.
Sara passed away peacefully after a medical emergency took her to the Emergency Room at Lovelace Westside Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico where her heart stopped. Attempts with CPR failed to re-start the heart and she was pronounced deceased in the early afternoon.
Funeral services will be held at Riley Funeral Home in Hamilton, Texas beginning with a viewing November 28, 2026 2:00 to 5:00 PM. The Funeral service, open to all, will be November 29, 2026, at 10:30 AM. Graveside services will follow at the Davis-Jones Family Plot in the IOOF Cemetery in Hamilton, Texas. A celebration of life is expected to follow the graveside service.
As many know, Sara was a God-fearing woman who depended on God’s word as her spiritual food each day. Her knowledge and understanding of God’s word made her into the wonderful Christian woman she became. She was full of patience, humility, kindness, love, grace, diligence, selflessness, and forgiveness. These virtues and light of her spirit were expressed consistently in her interactions with others. She was a remarkable Christian woman whose example was grounded in her quest to live a Christ like life consistently every day. Her last wishes were to honor God within the context of her passing and encourage others to believe that Christ died to erase and forgive the challenges and faults of human nature. It is in believing that Christ died for us to open the gates of heaven that everyone can enter. Through Sara’s testimony of Christ apparent in her daily life, it is encouraged everyone that reads or hears this obituary believe that Christ died for us and incorporate in your life the Christian virtues Sara reflected inwardly and outwardly. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, Sara requests you make a donation to one of the following ministries:
Wisdom International
P.O Box 280
Clayton, North Carolina 27528
https://www.wisdomonline.org
Insight for Living
5330 Parkwood Blvd
Frisco, Texas 75034
https://insight.org
Moody Church Media
1635 N. LaSalle
Chicago, Illinois 60614
https://moodymedia.org
Through the Bible
P.O. Box 7100
Pasadena, California 91109
https://www.ttb.org
These ministries were an integral part of Sara’s learning and reinforcing of the virtues she held so dear in her heart, soul, and spirit.
