Grace Anderson, 81, of Fort Smith, died May 26, 2017 in Fort Smith. She was born October 21, 1935 in Monroe, Iowa, to Fred and Edith Ross Birkenholtz.
Grace was raised by her aunt and uncle from the age of 6 months, Zell and Nora Ross.
She was a member of Central Christian Church, former member of the Fort Smith Public Library Board, and she was employed by AHEC through the Arkansas Health Sciences as Director of the Medical Library in Sparks Regional Medical Center for 37 years.
She was a lifelong friend of Janet Moore, from the xith grade through college, and considered her as a sister, and they each married a Paul.
Grace had the privilege of visiting with Janet and Paul one week prior to her death. Grace was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Paul Anderson of Fort Smith; two daughters, Christine Carol Smith of Fayetteville and Kimberly Lynn Coble and her husband John of Greenwood; two sons, Timothy Alan Anderson and his wife Rebecca of Tulsa and David Scott Anderson and wife Lisa of Fort Smith; cousins, Ruby Jedlicka of Solon, Iowa, and Dorothy Sahr of Santiago, Chile; and nine grandchildren, Kevin Smith, Ryan Anderson, Madison Anderson, Parker Anderson, Cooper Anderson, Tate Anderson, Tyler Coble, Hayden Coble and Kaylee Coble.
Funeral service will be Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in the Central Christian Church with burial to follow in the U.S. National Cemetery all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren.
The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m.
The members of Grace’s family are very appreciative of the love, care and support received from Peachtree Hospice, Kindred Care, Home Instead and the church family.
Memorials may be made to the Central Christian Church, 400 North Waldron, Fort Smith, AR 72903 or the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, 116 John Street, New York, NY 10038.
