Sara Frances Sanders

Frances R. Sanders, 96, of Fort Smith, Ark., formally of Rogers, died Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at Mercy Hospital of Fort Smith. She was born April 2, 1918, at Mulberry, Ark., to Thomas Faye Rankin and Nellie Jane Carty Rankin. She began her professional career at Fort Chaffee Army Base in Fort Smith and later married Robert Elliott Sanders on the base July 3, 1943. She retired from the Corps of Engineer Beaver Lake Reservoir after 20 years where she worked as a secretary. She was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting and crossword puzzles. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Rogers; and is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Elliott Sanders on July 27, 2001; one brother, Hulburt "Bud" Rankin; and one sister, Hilda Buck. Survivors are two daughters, Kathy Jane Sanders Evans and husband, Bobby, of Rogers, Sandy Sanders of Fort Smith; three grandchildren, Angela Carter and husband, Thomas, of Springdale, Kim McCasland and Dr. Randy Scott of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Robbie Evans of Bentonville; four great-grandchildren, Peyton, Cassidy and Jessica Squires, all of Springdale, and Kaitlin Dornan of Bentonville. Service is set for 2 p.m. Friday, June 20, at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Pea Ridge, with the Rev. John Gipson officiating. Visitation will begin at noon before the service. Burial will be at Benton County Memorial Park in Rogers. Memorials may be made to the National Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, DC, 20037; or Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House, 3324 South M Street, Fort Smith, AR 72903. Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.