Anne Elizabeth Sanford passed away December 21, 2009 at Mansfield Methodist Hospital in Mansfield, Texas. Anne was born June 15, 1921 to Lula Mae and Edward Frank "Scotty" Durham in San Antonio, Texas. Anne graduated from high school at 16 and earned her Bachelor's from SouthWestern University in San Marcos and later her Masters from SMU. Anne Sanford was the first divorced teacher to be hired by the Dallas school system and was the first Caucasian to teach at L.G. Pinkston High School in Dallas in the 1960's. Anne was an outstanding professional educator for 41 years. Since she was a pilot, she taught aviation during World War II. During her teaching career Anne developed the first preemployment childcare and development course in high school in the United States. The last 15 years she was a counselor in Dallas high schools. Anne participated in the family printing business, Kwik Copy in Dallas during the 1950s, and later Postal Instant Press, PIP, in Arlington, and later helped build their home in San Saba, Texas by using the commissions from selling 2 ¾ million dollars of instant printing for Jenny's Printing in Austin, Texas from age 69 to 74. At the age of 79 Anne began writing poetry and published many poems which awarded her medals and trophies as a Famous poet. While serving as the president of the San Saba Garden Club, she developed a "Green Thumbs" environmental program for 6th graders involving them in community activities. An environmental scholarship to an outstanding San Saba graduating senior has been given in honor of Don and Anne's life time achievements for the last 10 years. Anne participated in the community endeavor to provide tables and chairs for the new San Saba community center raising over $25,000. Anne conceived an artwork of a sculptured tree with contributing families to the project as leaves. While writing articles for various clubs, such as the San Saba Garden Club, she later became a reporter for the San Saba News at the age of 83 until she returned to Arlington at the age of 86 to reside with Don at the Green Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing Home. After Don's death on Valentine's of 2009 (60 years to the day that they first met at a Valentine's Day party), Anne walked into Walnut Creek Assisted Living in Mansfield, Texas to start a new chapter in her life, on her high heels and her walker to enjoy a lovely apartment with a new puppy Scooter.
Anne Elizabeth Rhea Durham Jones Sanford was married to the love of her life, Donald Nichols Sanford, on June 3, 1950 in Dallas, Texas. While a second marriage for both, Anne and Don were married 59 and a half years. Anne and Don had four children, Dean, Jan, Mike, and Mark. Anne was a true Christ's servant: a loving Christian wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, neighbor, counselor to friends and family, humorist, poet, pioneer, pilot, reporter, and extraordinary shopper. Anne never saw a space she could not fill with unique, interesting, and delightful fun items. Everyone who came within her sphere of personality, faith, and influence, however brief or long, had their lives enriched, enhanced, and affected. Anne joined Don and Jesus for Christmas! Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice!
Anne Elizabeth Rhea Durham Sanford is survived by her daughter, Jan Sanford Snow and her husband Mike Snow; her sons Michael Durham Sanford and his fiancé Marina, Donald Mark Sanford, and Dean Charles Sanford and his wife Ronnie; seven grandchildren Stephanie Nicole East, Brian Alan and his wife Krystal East, Nicholas Cooper Sanford, Veronikah Rhea Sanford, Scott Sanford, Kelly Sanford and Danette Kathleen Sanford; and three great-grandchildren Shelby Nicole East, Seth Alan East, and Shaye Josephine East.
The funeral service was held on Monday, December 28, 2009 at 9:30 A.M. at the Howell-Doran Funeral Home Chapel. Interment was held at the Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington, Texas at 4:00 P.M.
Funeral service under the direction of Howell-Doran Funeral Home.
Published in Star-Telegram on December 26, 2009