Kahylene Graham Vanzant

Kahylene Graham Vanzant, age 89, peacefully went home to the Lord on October 29, 2016 while surrounded by family. She was born on May 14, 1927 to Harvey Phillips Graham and Mabel Moody on their family farm in Lowell, Ark. The third of five children, Kahylene spent her childhood alongside her siblings playing and working on the farm while attending Accident Community's one-room schoolhouse. When she was 15, Kahylene caught the eye of Fred Vanzant, 17, while her parents were singing at a small church in Sonora — this chance moment marked the beginning of their 74-year love story. Once Kahylene graduated from both Rogers High School and H.O. Davis Business school, and Fred returned from his WWII tour in the Navy, the two were married June 27, 1948. Together they established Vanzant Fruit Farms and over the next 68 years Kahylene and Fred grew and harvested peaches, apples, grapes and vegetables for distribution across the four-state area. They also built a bustling produce market of their own that continues to thrive and welcome customers. The couple had six children together and Kahylene was a warm, loving mother who instilled the importance of faith, family, nature, music, and beauty in their upbringing. She was an artist in all she did and her creativity shone in the handmade clothes she stitched the intricate lattice pies she baked, and her sprawling flower garden. Kahylene knew every bulb planted and welcomed songbirds, bees and butterflies' year after year. She led a happy life and her final words expressed deep gratitude and love towards her family. She is survived by her husband, Fred A. Vanzant of Lowell and five children, Regena Shelby (Ron) of Rogers, Ark., Teresa Houston (Noyl) of Jonesboro, Ark., Katharine Arno (David) of Charlotte, N.C., Stephen Vanzant (Cheryl) of Lowell, Ark., and Angela Courtney (John) of Las Vegas, Nev., and 12 grandchildren, Abby, Matthew, Katherine, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Stephanie, Emily, David, Caroline, Daniel, Lillian, and Jack. She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, Lainey, Elise, Andrew, Graham, Sawyer, Robert, Hutch, Sam, and Daniel. Her parents, Harvey Phillips Graham and Mabel Moody, preceded her in death as well as her brother, John Wendell Graham, sisters, Rosalie Patton Cromwell, Mary Belle Graham, and Maureen Graue. Kahylene's beloved son, Robert Elliott Vanzant, and grandchild, Erin Kahylene Shelby Propst, preceded her in death this past year. Kahylene was member of Lowell Baptist Church and DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). Visitation will be Friday, November 4, 2016, at Sisco Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. and the funeral service will be held Saturday morning, November 5, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Lowell Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Bluff cemetery in Springdale, Ark. You may sign the online guestbook at www.siscofuneral.com.