Obituaries

Sanford B Birdsong

Sanford B. Birdsong, age 85, of Heber Springs died on June 6, 2018 after a prolonged illness. Sanford was born in Shiloh, AR on November 5, 1932 to John and Mary Verser Birdsong, both of whom predeceased him. He was also preceded in death by sons, Darvin McAnear and Donnie McAnear. Sanford is survived by his wife of 56 years, Billie Lou Birdsong of Heber Springs, daughter, Cynthia Thacker (Butch) of Conway and sisters, Elwanda Bailey and Johnie Stark of Heber Springs. He is also survived by grandson, Eric McAnear of Heber Springs, granddaughters, Sandra McAnear and Debbie Blend (Steve) of Bryant and great-grandchildren, Brett Blend, Reagan Blend and Kayley Blend of Bryant. Sanford was a lifelong resident of Cleburne County. When Sanford was a young man, he worked in the trucking and lumber industry in the area of Shiloh and Greers Ferry He then began work in the construction industry, working in Arkansas, Oklahoma and California. After the town of Shiloh was inundated by Greers Ferry Lake, Sanford moved to Heber Springs and began to focus on the specialty building trade of cabinet making. Sanford and his cousin Sid Birdsong founded Birdsong Builders, Inc. and engaged in residential and commercial construction and building cabinets for a number of years. In 1978 Sanford formed Birdsong Cabinet Shop, Inc. and began to concentrate exclusively on cabinet making. He was assisted in the business by his wife Billie Lou who was in integral part of the operation of the cabinet shop and they operated the business together until their retirement. Sanford was a master woodworker who was knowledgeable of the various types and traits of wood which cabinets and accessories are built of. He initially performed all of the phases of cabinet building himself, from the layout of jobs through the entire building and installation process. His knowledge of cabinet construction was primarily acquired by years of first-hand experience and the ability and desire to integrate new technology, equipment and techniques into the process. Sanford enjoyed working with his cattle, spending time on Greers Ferry Lake, working in the yard and doting on the dogs and cats which he loved. He was a member of and Master Mason in the Shiloh Masonic Lodge. Sanford is a member of the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs and the Faith Builders' Sunday School Class thereof. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Olmstead Funeral Home. Visitation is at 10 a.m. and the service will be held at 11 a.m. on June 8, 2018 at the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs with Bro. J.R. DeBusk officiating. Interment will follow at Cleburne County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Butch Thacker, Eric McAnear, Shelton Bailey, Robby Mason,BL Scott and Matt Porter. The family requests that those wishing to send flowers consider making a memorial donation to the First Baptist Church of Heber Springs or another charity of their choice in lieu thereof. Additionally, the family would like to recognize and extend thanks to caregivers Amanda Badders, Janine Sheridan, and Devonne Campbell without whose compassion and kindness Sanford's final days would have been much more difficult. www.olmstead.cc.

Published June 7, 2018

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