Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
FORT SMITH — “Don’t cry because she’s gone, smile because she was with us.” Sandra (Sandy) Lee Garner,
76, of Fort Smith passed away on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, at her home. She was born July 25, 1944, in Pine Bluff, Ark. Sandy was a graduate of Pine Bluff High School. She was a retired pre-school teacher at Hobson Preschool and Kindergarten of the First Presbyterian Church.
Sandy loved traveling and seeing new things. She would parasail, zip-line, scuba dive, snorkel and bike with friends. She loved planning girl trips to numerous concerts and annual visits to Eureka Springs. She also enjoyed traveling with her grandchildren to the Caribbean, Las Vegas, Disney World and celebrated graduation with trips to Alaska and Hawaii.
She loved color from flowers to butterflies to pottery to jewelry. She had a beautiful smile that made her eyes sparkle and a magical laugh. Kind words and hugs were her currency with her children, grandchildren and friends. She was an avid supporter of live music and was on the board of the Fort Smith Blues Society. She was a dedicated member of Artist Audience Community Live! that has brought world class live music to the Arkansas River Valley.
She was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Calloway; her mother, Thelma Calloway; and her husband of 53 years, Charles “Bud” Garner.
She is survived by her three sons, Charles “Chuck” Garner of Fort Smith; Brian Garner of Fort Smith, Evan and Krista Garner of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Cassidy Garner; Chase and Randi Garner, Paige Garner, Nick Garner, Jameson Garner and Kyleigh Goodyear; great-granddaughter, Ella-Grace Walters. She is missed very much by her precious dog Breezy.
Memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel on North 12th Street in Fort Smith.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to: Artist, Audience, Community Live!, P.O. Box 6, Fort Smith, Ark., 72902. To place an online tribute, please go to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.