Judge Sandra Burgess Orr was born in Rockwood, Tennessee on February 12, 1948.  She is the daughter of Albert Gairdy Hutto and the late Billie Juanita Ward.  She is a lifelong resident of South Carolina.  She has two daughters Janet Cobb of Walhalla, SC and Kristie Burgess of Columbia SC.  Judge Orr resides in West Union, South Carolina. 

Judge Orr attended public schools in Oconee, Charleston and Greenwood counties and graduated from Tamassee-Salem High School in Salem in 1968.  While attending high school she was active in basketball and band.

January 1, 1975 Judge Orr began her career with the Oconee County Probate Court as Clerk. Upon the retirement of Judge J. W. Ballenger in 1986, Judge Orr offered as candidate for Probate Judge. She was elected as Probate Judge in November 1986 and reelected 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002.  Prior to her employment in the Probate Court she was employed by the US Postal Service.

Judge Orr is past president of the South Carolina Association of Probate Judges, member of South Carolina Association of Probate Judges, member of the National College of Probate Judges.  She is Past President of the Salem Lions Club and active member of the Salem Lions Club.  She is an active member of Salem Baptist Church, having served as church clerk, Sunday School teacher, training union director and choir member . She enjoys helping and being of assistance to others, family, friends or neighbors.