Martha Flanders

Martha Ruth Flanders, 85, of Fort Smith, died Wednesday, February 28, 2018 in Fort Smith. Widow of Robert “Jack” Flanders. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Doyle Sr.; sister, Pasty Childress; brother, Gilbert Doyle Jr.; and daughter, Jo Ann Beistline.

She is survived by daughters, Judy Pitts (Paula) of Jonesboro, Janet Loyd (Bill) of Fort Smith; and son-in-law, Donald Beistline of Chalfont, PA; grandsons, Jacob, John, and Jared Beistline, Taylor and Philip Loyd; granddaughters, Amanda Thomas, Anna Easterling and Meghan Loyd; eight great-grandchildren, Brycen, Mari, Jack and Ellis Thomas, Tatum and Travis Beistline, and Tolby and Aiden Easterling; and her sister, Marilyn Waters (Larry) of Edmond, OK.

She was a charter member of Faith United Methodist Church, formerly Massard United Methodist Church, a longtime teacher of the Gleaners Sunday School Class, past president Faith UM Women and Ruth Circle, a Life member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and past commander Unit 1. She volunteered at Mercy Medical Center and was a member of the Pastoral Care Program.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Jacob Beistline, John Beistline, Taylor Loyd, Philip Loyd; great-grandsons, Brycen Thomas and Mari Thomas.

Funeral service will be at Faith United Methodist Church Monday, March 5, 2018 at 11:30 with family receiving family and friends at 10:30. Burial will be in U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Abilities Unlimited of Fort Smith.

Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com