Carol Jean Sanford

Carol Williams Sanford of Nashville, TN passed away January 10, 2017. Born and raised in Plain Dealing, Louisiana to Fletcher and Mattie Gryder Williams, she enjoyed being a part of the local Shreveport music community during the popular Louisiana Hayride years performing on stage, radio and television. During this time, she met, was courted by and married the love of her life Billy. Together, they took a huge leap of faith and relocated to Nashville in 1964 with two infants in tow. Once there, she succeeded in creating a warm, loving home for family and friends while being a supportive and encouraging helpmate to her husband and his music career. As a member of Brush Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church, she taught the Primary Children's Sunday School Class and numerous VBS classes. She especially enjoyed the sweet fellowship and study as a member of The Sunshine Sunday School Class and the Cumberland Presbyterian Women's group. As a humble Christ follower and mighty prayer warrior, she loved easily, smiled big, laughed often, forgave quickly, sacrificed by putting others first, and prayed earnestly for anyone at any time. She drew even closer to Him during the last few years of physical hardship and desired only to fully rely on God and to be an example of God's faithfulness and loving care. Though her health failed, her faith, prayer life, concern for others, gift of hospitality, love for family, friends and her beloved America never wavered. She was preceded in death by her parents Fletcher and Mattie Williams; brothers, Bennie and Howard Williams; sisters, Ann Hawkins and Helen Demske. She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Billy Sanford; daughters, Lori (Tim) Odom and Ginger (Russ) Pahl; sister, Billie Stevens; granddaughters, Amanda (Tom) Gilbert and Hannah Pahl; great-granddaughter Tilden " Tilly" Jane Gilbert; and numerous beloved family members and friends. A celebration of Mrs. Sanford's life will be conducted at 12 p.m., Monday, January 16, 2017, at Hermitage Funeral Home with Rev. Kenneth Butcher officiating. Interment will follow in Hermitage Memorial Gardens with family and friends serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday, January 15, and 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. Monday, January 16 at Hermitage Funeral Home. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Brush Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, St. Jude's Children's Hospital or a charity of your choice. Finally, the family extends a warm thank you to Summit Medical Center's physicians and staff and also to Alive Hospice.