Visitation will be held Saturday May 7th from 9-10 am at The Runge Mortuary and Crematory 838 East Kimberly Road Davenport, IA followed by a graveside service at 10:30 am in the nearby Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.therungemortuary.com and viewing “recent obituaries” for Sallyann’s listing. Donations can be made in Sallyann’s name to the First Christian Church in Eureka Springs 763 Passion Play Road Eureka Springs, AR 72632.
Sallyann was born on December 19, 1937, in Davenport Iowa, the daughter of Louis and Irma Hendershot. She graduated from Davenport High School in 1957. On June 15, 1958, Sallyann was united in marriage to Warren Lee Dexter in Davenport, Iowa. Sallyann was a second-generation florist and opened Flowers by Sallyann in West Branch Iowa serving the community from 1968 to 1981.
Warren and Sallyann raised their children in West Branch from 1967 through 1989 after which they left West Branch for Eureka Springs Arkansas in 1990 to establish Covenant Gardens, a beautiful meandering meditation and scripture teaching garden featuring plants mentioned in the bible. Covenant Gardens operated from 1991 to 2007.
Sallyann loved the Lord and served others in both West Branch and Eureka Springs. She loved her family, set a good example, and prayed for us all. She was our prayer warrior.
Warren and Sallyann celebrated 61 years of marriage in 2019 before Warren’s passing.
She is survived by four children: Dale (G.G.) Dexter of Raleigh, NC., Susann (Ken) Smith of Fayette, MO., Tim (Pat) Dexter of Cave Springs, AR., Sherylynn (Brian) Davis of Raymore, MO. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Leanna (Matthew) Cowan, Elizabeth Dexter, Abigail Smith, Peter Smith, Ian Dexter, Lauren (Austin) Dexter James, Matthew Davis, Hannah Davis and 4 great grandchildren: Kathryn McBride, Vaida Davis, J. Annie Boggs, and Miriam Cowan.
She is proceeded in death by her parents, an infant brother Louis Irvin Hendershot, husband Warren Dexter, and a granddaughter Sarah Smith.
A special note of thanks to The Gardens at Osage Village for the wonderful care given to Sallyann.
