Effie Lillian Williamson Hanks

EFFIE LILLIAN WILLIAMSON HANKS, 101, of Sherwood went home to be with her Lord on Feb. 27, 2014. She was born March 29, 1912 in Cato to William Edwin and Candy Cole Williamson. She was married to Roby Hanks in 1927. They were married for 63 years until her husband's death at age 80 in 1990. They had eight children and the eight survive her: Edna Durham of Waco, Texas, Billie Ryle of Kansas City, Mo., Linda Moore of Little Rock, Pat (Jimmy) Herring of North Little Rock, Robert (Carolyn) Hanks of Sherwood, Sarah (Buddy) Gibson of Sherwood, Ronnie (Diane) Hanks of Sherwood, and John (Lesa) Hanks of Little Rock. Also surviving her are 24 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; 20 great-great grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends. Effie was a charter member of Runyan Baptist Church. She served there until she moved to Sherwood after her husband died. She rejoined Sylvan Hills First Baptist Church at that time, as she had been a member there from 1946 until Runyan was established. She taught Sunday School into her 80s. Loving children as she did and believing with all her heart that Jesus was their only hope, the last years she had committed to work in Vacation Bible School serving children refreshments. This last hospitalization she advised the children's director with much sorrow that she did not think she would be able to help this year. Beyond service to her church, her interests were making quilts for family and friends, water aerobics, gardening, and painting with watercolors and acrylics. On her 100th birthday, Effie was given a party at the Jack Evans Senior Citizens Center and honored with a proclamation by the City of Sherwood, presented with an honorary lifetime membership to the Bill Harmon Recreation Center, and recognized for her 70-year service in the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council, Sylvan Hills Chapter. A funeral service will be held to celebrate the life of Effie Hanks on Monday, March 3, 2014, at 10 a.m. at Sylvan Hills First Baptist Church in Sherwood. Burial will be at Sumner Cemetery, Jacksonville. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2014, at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills, 7724 Landers Road, Sherwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sylvan Hills First Baptist Church, 9008 Highway 107, Sherwood, Ark. 72120. Please visit www.griffinleggettresthills.com to sign the online guest book.