Sletha Lois Sanderson

Sletha Lois Sanderson, 79, went Home to the Lord on Feb. 12, 2024, after enduring a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Lois was born to the late Ruben and Eula Bedwell in October 1944. She grew up working in the cotton fields with her family before settling in Searcy, where she became a Searcy High School graduate, longtime resident and where she met the love of her life, the late John Sanderson. They were married for 46 years before his passing.

Lois became an LPN and worked most of her adult life in the White County area hospitals and clinics. She loved nursing and even taught LPN classes at Foothills Vocational Technical School. She served her community as a member of the Optimist Club of Searcy, volunteering to teach Sunday school and AWANA, singing in the choir and helping to serve meals at Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church after serving at Center Hill Missionary Baptist Church, as well. Lois believed her greatest role in life was that of a prayer warrior for her family and friends. She loved traveling, flowers, gardening, reading and being "Nana."

She is survived by a daughter, Cindy (Tim) Burson, and a son, Darren (Wayne Tedford) Sanderson; three grandsons, Ethan (Devin) Burson, Grant Burson (Sofia Escalante) and Benjamin Burson; two great-grandchildren, George and Isla Burson; two sisters, Lora Herron and Oleta Martindale; and a host of family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, John R. Sanderson, and a sister, Densver Lee Mullins.

Special words of gratitude are extended to Zenia Bradley and the entire staff at the Ginny and Bob Shell Alzheimer's Center at Parkway Village in Little Rock. These incredible people cared for Lois with such dignity and respect in her last months as she battled a disease which is so debilitating and dehumanizing.

A memorial service honoring the life of Lois Sanderson will be held Monday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. at Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church in Searcy. Bro. Keith Lunceford will officiate. Honorary pallbearers are Wayne Tedford, Tim Burson, Ethan Burson, Grant Burson, Benjamin Burson and George A. Burson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to a charity of your choice, pay it forward to a stranger or to Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Youth, 211 E. Park Ave., Searcy, AR 72143.