Cassandra Parran Briscoe, age 78, of St. Leonard, Maryland, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. Sandra was born March 22, 1937 in Prince Frederick, Maryland to Benjamin and Cassandra Shannon Parran.

She and her younger brother, Benjamin "Buddy" Parran, Jr., grew up on The Cage, a large tobacco and cattle farm in St. Leonard, Maryland. Sandra attended Calvert County Public Schools through tenth grade. She graduated from Stuart Hall School in Staunton, Virginia and attended Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland.

Sandra married James Thompson Briscoe on September 18, 1958 in Baltimore, Maryland. They treasured their 51 years of marriage together on his family farm, Stonesby, in St. Leonard, Maryland. When her husband injured his back and was unable to drive the tractor for extended periods of time, Sandra, a young mother at the time, assisted with the tilling of the land. Although she was used to farm life, that spring marked the beginning of her love of farming and working the land herself.

A devoted mother and gifted homemaker, Sandra's artistic and creative flair was evident in every aspect of her life. She was a beautiful seamstress, sewing everything from draperies to evening gowns. The clever Halloween costumes she created for her three children typically won them some award. Sandra was a splendid and adventurous cook. She was a gracious hostess and enjoyed entertaining, especially when it involved family gatherings, both large and small.

An avid flower and vegetable gardener, Sandra served as President of the Calvert Garden Club and was known for her exquisite freeform flower arrangements. She and her husband, James Briscoe, were founding members of The Calverton School, and Sandra served as President of the Mothers' Club for many years.

A lifelong member of Christ Episcopal Church in Port Republic, Maryland, Sandra ran the Gifts and Crafts Booth at the annual Jousting Tournament and Bazaar; for months in advance, she would create unique handmade crafts to sell. She served on the Altar Guild and enjoyed adorning the church for the Christmas and Easter seasons. In her later years, she assisted with the luncheons hosted by the Comfort Givers for families and guests following funeral services at Christ Church.

When her children left for college, Sandra became the Manager of Cage Farm. Having fallen into disrepair and debt, she brought new energy and vitality to the farm. She oversaw the cattle operation, and raised tobacco, small grains, soybeans, hay, and straw. With her guidance and the help of the other workers, it became a thriving farm operation once again. A stickler for precision and accuracy in her accounting, Sandra continued to be the bookkeeper for the farm until very recently. Sandra was active within the farming community; she served on the Calvert Farmland Trust and was a Committee Member of the Calvert County Farm Service Agency for numerous years. Sandra's hobbies and past times included refinishing furniture, soft crabbing, hunting for Native American artifacts, and genealogy.

Sandra will be remembered for her generosity of spirit, her quick wit, and her wry sense of humor. The family is extremely grateful for the loving care provided for her by her caregivers and Calvert Hospice.

She is survived by her daughter, Shannon Briscoe Campbell, her husband, David, and their two children, Cassandra and Liam; her son Crofton Briscoe, his wife, Kim, and their daughter, Corinthia; and her son Parran Briscoe, his wife, Holly, and their two children, James and Delaney, all of St. Leonard, Maryland, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother.

Family will receive friends from 5 - 8 PM on Friday, August 7, 2015 at Rausch Funeral Home, 4405 Broomes Island Road, Port Republic, Maryland. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Christ Episcopal Church, Port Republic, Maryland. Internment will follow in the church cemetery. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 3100 Broomes Island Road, Port Republic, Maryland 20676 or Calvert Hospice, 238 Merrimac Court, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678. Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home.