Mrs. Willie Raye Farmer Sanford

Willie Raye Sanford, age 92, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2011. She was born September 19, 1918 in Hillsboro, Texas to the late Zed and Janie Byrum Farmer. She was a member of the Family Worship Center.

Her family was very special and important to her. She enjoyed spending time with her children and their families. As a young woman, she enjoyed horses and participating in rodeos. She could also square-dance horseback. She liked to travel and crappie fishing with her husband, and was a member of the Sr. Bowling Club.

She is survived by her husband, Willie D. Sanford; daughters, Shirley Ryan and husband Al of Santa Fe, Mary Gillispie of Santa Fe; stepchildren, Will Sanford and wife Mary of Arlington, Sandra Frnka and husband Leroy of Columbus, Richard Sanford and wife Susan of Greenville, South Carolina, Deborah Dougherty and husband Paul of Magnolia, and Mary Fails and husband Gary of Sweeny; daughter-in-law, Brenda Hollan of Santa Fe; 17 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and 6 great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Kenneth Perry Hollan; daughter, Joanna Rubio; step-son, Charles Sanford; sister, Irene Lafield; and brothers, John W. Farmer, Luther Ross Farmer, Clarence Farmer, Houston Farmer, and Belvin Farmer.

Visitation will be held 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday, March 17, 2011 at Colonial Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held 10:00 am Friday, March 18, 2011 at Colonial Funeral Home with the Rev. C. E. Smith officiating.

Graveside Services will follow at 4:30 pm Friday at the Confederate Cemetery in Alvin.

Serving as pallbearers will be Steve Hollan, Ronnie Bocco, John Shead, Jim Cargile, Nic Hammond, Orey Fails, and Hayden Fails. Honorary pallbearers are John Novak, Josie Marbach, Raymond and Gloria Olquin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of South Texas.

Words of comfort may be shared with the Family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com

Arrangements are with Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, TX 361-578-3535