SPRINGDALE — Blanche Ferguson Coker

departed this life to meet her Savior on September 27, 2021. Born at home on the family farm west of Booneville, Ark., on March 11, 1927.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William Alonzo Ferguson and Clara Elizabeth Dickey; two brothers, Edward (Shirley) and John (Reece); one sister, Katherine ( Jack) Bentley; one brother-in-law, M. R. South; and one son-in-law, the Reverend Gaylan Cope.

She is survived by a son, William Coker ( Karin), a daughter, Suzanne Cope, five grandchildren, David (Wendy) and Christopher (Tara) Sims, and Daniel, Paul, and Amanda Coker; five great-grandchildren, Tucker and Brylie Sims, and John David, Kathryn, and James Coker; one sister-in-law, Betty South; four nieces; and two nephews.

She held leadership positions in PTA, Girl Scouts, United Methodist Church, PEO, Beta Sigma Phi, and Book Lovers Book Club. She also participated in many other activities, including the Breakfast Beauties, Bridge Club, Dinner Party Group, and Small Group Bible Studies.

In 1970, she and Lena Collins opened C&C Gifts in San Jose Manor, which was later expanded to include a second store in Siloam Springs. The store had a 30-year run on Emma Avenue as the place to shop for “Gifts of Distinction.”

Throughout the years she continued to make family a high priority. She was a consummate cook, a marvelous gardener (both flowers and vegetables), a faithful friend, and a great listener. She and Foy were avid sports fans and for many years held season tickets for football and basketball for the Razorbacks and the Bulldogs.

Visitation will be at Sisco Funeral Chapel, 705 West Meadow Avenue, from 5-7 p.m., Friday, October 1. A service celebrating Blanche’s life will be Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 206 West Johnson Avenue, Springdale, Ark. A graveside service will be held at Ferguson Valley Cemetery west of Booneville, Ark., at 3 p.m.

Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.