Obituaries

NANCY SANDEFUR

Photo of NANCY  SANDEFUR
Nancy Sandefur, 80, a resident of Texarkana, Texas died peacefully July 5, 2018, in Texarkana under the care of Hospice. Nancy Clay Dill was born December 1, 1937, in Austin, Texas to Eddie and Frances Guess Dill. Nancy was a Zeta Tau Alpha and the Kappa Alpha sweetheart at the University of Texas, where she graduated with a teaching degree. While at UT, she met Benny George Sandefer (apparently through two blind dates several months apart). Nancy married the love of her life on February 7, 1959. Nancy, Ben and infant son Michael moved to Dallas in late 1960 when Ben joined the CPA firm of Peat Marwick Mitchell. Sons Gregory and Jeffrey were born in Dallas. In 1965, the family of five moved to Texarkana when Ben accepted the position of auditor at State First National Bank. Together the couple started a remarkable legacy to support their new community in numerous activities over the years. They raised their family at Trinity Presbyterian Church, where Nancy served as an Elder. First Presbyterian Church, Texarkana, Arkansas has been Nancy's home church over the past few years. Nancy was a founding board member of the predecessor of Opportunities, Inc. in the late 1960s. She became president of the Junior League of Texarkana in 1974, and in 1984 was honored as Outstanding Sustainer. She was active in United Way and became the first woman to serve as Campaign Chair for the 1977 campaign. She was honored as Woman of the Year in 1977 by the Jaycees. She helped form the Leadership Texarkana program in 1979 and served as the initial coordinator. In 1980 she was the first woman elected to the school board of TISD and served several terms as the first woman president. In 1985 she was the second winner of the Christine Nelson Award. Nancy also served in leadership positions on the Texarkana Museum Board, TRAHC Board, Opportunities Foundation Board, and others too numerous to mention. Nancy and Ben were honored by the community as the joint winners of the C.E. Palmer Award in 1988. Nancy had leadership responsibility for at least four notable fund-raising projects — the Ace of Clubs House, the Discovery Place Children's Museum, the new St. Michaels hospital campus, and the Bunch-Woodview Alzheimer's Center at Cornerstone. For many years, Nancy and Ben enjoyed "The Cabin" at Holly Mound. They loved to travel and did so extensively, with numerous cruises, casino junkets, and months in Colorado. They also delighted in dancing together and won several jitterbug contests. Nancy enjoyed gathering annually with her childhood friends, known affectionately as the "Ya-Ya's Nancy was proceeded in death by her parents, her brother Joe Dill, and her daughter-in-law Cindy Sandefur. Survivors include her husband, Ben G. Sandefur of Texarkana; three sons, Michael R. (Vicky) Sandefur of Texarkana, Gregory C. Sandefur of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Jeffrey A. (Terri) Sandefur of Texarkana; six grandchildren Ray (Joy) Sandefur, Clay Sandefur, Sid Sandefur and Ned Sandefur, all of Texarkana, and Audrey Sandefur and Katherine Sandefur, of Florida and Texarkana; two sisters, Sallie Ann Dill of Texarkana and Mary Alice DeWitt of Clearwater, Florida, a sister in law, Jane Dill of Austin, and a host of family and friends. The entire Sandefur family would like to thank Nancy's friends and caregivers at Cornerstone Retirement Community, and Hospice of Texarkana. Memorials may be made to Opportunities Inc., Hospice of Texarkana, or to The Alzheimer's Alliance. A private family interment will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at a later date under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home. Online registration at www.texarkanafuneralhome.com.

Published July 7, 2018

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