Darlene Grandstaff

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Greenwood on Monday, March 23 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will follow the service.

Darlene was born February 27, 1942, in Milltown, Arkansas, to Raymond and Derema Beecham. She was a 1959 honors graduate of Greenwood High School. It was there she met her high school sweetheart, Carl Grandstaff, and they were married on August 7, 1959, at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church. They shared 49 years of marriage before Carl’s passing.

Darlene loved life, and she loved to compete. She was an athlete long before it was trendy—basketball, tennis, ping pong, and bowling—and she didn’t just play to participate; she played to win. At Greenwood High School, in the era of 6-on-6 women’s basketball, Darlene was known as a defensive specialist. Even late in life, her competitive joy remained. In one cherished moment, when asked how she was doing after waking from sleep, she smiled and said she was “playing basketball”—and doing well because she was “shooting the ball.” That was Darlene: fully alive, always ready to take her shot.

Darlene was also known for her grace and presentation. She was a sharp dresser, highly intelligent, and fiercely loyal to her friends and family—funny, quick-witted, kind, and consistently optimistic. She had an amazing smile and a way of lifting the room.

Her work and service reflected her love for people. Darlene worked in medical records at Sparks Hospital, served as an officer in the Greenwood Garden Club, and owned and operated the Greenwood Flower Shop for seven years. She devoted the heart of her career to the Sebastian County Retired Citizens Association (SRCA) for 29 years, supporting nine senior centers and Meals on Wheels. As a champion for seniors across the region and state, she coordinated regional and state Senior Olympic Games, believing age should never sideline joy, movement, or purpose.

After Carl’s death, Darlene later married Lloyd Wade Whitham on July 31, 2009. They enjoyed their years together—dancing, bowling, and worshiping at First Baptist Greenwood—until Lloyd passed away on January 6, 2023, following his battle with cancer.

Darlene was, above all else, a woman of deep faith. She loved Jesus—not casually, not culturally, but deeply and steadfastly. Her faith shaped the way she loved her family, served her community, and faced every season of life, including her last. In her later years, as syncope limited her ability to walk or sit up, she embraced a new chapter of ministry: prayer. She prayed daily for family and friends and carried their needs before the Lord with quiet strength.

Mom’s greatest desire was that her family—and anyone who read this—would know Jesus. This poem captures the faith she lived by:

Jesus, You died upon a cross

And rose again to save the lost

Forgive me now of all my sin

Come be my Savior, Lord, and friend

Change my life, and make it new

And help me, Lord, to live for You

“The Salvation Poem” © Salvation Poem Project. Used with permission.

Darlene will be remembered for her love of Jesus and her family, her lifelong athletic spirit, her devotion to serving senior adults, and her consistent character. Her life reflected the heart of Proverbs 31: “She speaks with wisdom… She watches over the affairs of her household… Her children arise and call her blessed… But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Darlene is survived by her sons: Richy and Michelle Grandstaff of Grove, Oklahoma, and T.Ray and Stacey Grandstaff of Fort Smith, Arkansas; six grandchildren: Kristin and Jake Guinn of Grove, Oklahoma; Will and Kristen Grandstaff of Greenwood, Arkansas; Tanner and Rachel Grandstaff of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Molly, Maggy, and Landry Grandstaff of Fort Smith, Arkansas; along with her sister, Jeannine Beecham of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Kinsey, Dax, and Kamryn Guinn of Grove, Oklahoma, and Colton and Chandler Grandstaff of Greenwood, Arkansas.

From the many notes and messages shared by friends and family, one theme rang clear: Darlene made people feel seen and loved. So many described her as sweet, kind, and full of joy—someone who always had a smile and made others feel special. Many shared memories from tennis courts, bowling lanes, piano lessons, and the flower shop, and it meant a great deal to our family to hear how she welcomed people and loved this community. Most of all, we are grateful for the reminders of the hope we have in Jesus. Your prayers and words have been a real comfort to our family.

When asked what message she would leave for her family, Darlene said she loved them with all her being and prayed for them daily. She wrote that her greatest desire was that her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would know Jesus and learn to trust Him.

We grieve, but not without hope, because the same Jesus that Darlene trusted all her life is the One who welcomed her home. "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, P.O. Box 2521, Fort Smith, AR 72902.