Shirley Sanders

Shirley Ferne Lay Sanders, 86, of Hot Springs, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, July 30, 2022.

Shirley was born on Dec. 19, 1935, to Melvin and Irene Lay. She was married on May 24, 1958, to the love of her life, Orval Sanders, and they enjoyed 56 wonderful years together.

Shirley was a dedicated educator, serving in a number of public schools in Garland County. She taught Home Economics in the Mountain Pine and Lake Hamilton school districts, and taught second grade and was a reading specialist for many years in the Hot Springs School District.

Shirley was a driving force behind chartering Camp Quality in Arkansas and was camp director for many years. For her efforts, Shirley was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Oaklawn Rotary Club.

Shirley was an ordained elder in the Community of Christ.

Survivors include her three daughters, Dana Gregory and husband Mark, of Hot Springs, Leslie Mobley and husband Jeff, of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and April Sanders and wife Molly Daniel, of McKinney, Texas; and four grandchildren, Alex Gregory and wife Taylor, Mattea Mobley, Noah Gregory and Michaela Mobley.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday evening at Smith Family Funeral Home Hot Springs, 2205 Airport Road.

Services will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Smith Family Funeral Home Hot Springs.

Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens, 2868 Airport Road.

Pallbearers are Alex Gregory, Noah Gregory, Mark Gregory, Jeff Mobley, Molly Daniel and Neal Sanders.

Honorary pallbearers include Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority members, Garland County Retired Teachers Association, Dr. Timothy English, Southern Caregivers, and Camp Quality Arkansas.