Florence Amelia (Dean) Sifford, age 88, went to our heavenly Father October 2, 2022, after an exhausting fight with dementia and then COVID. Born in Parmer County, Texas on September 28, 1934, Florence lived and then met her husband, Billy where they married on September 20, 1953 and after a number of years relocated to Bella Vista, Arkansas to be closer to their son, Kenny, and his family.
Florence will be forever remembered by her family as being a tiny, but fierce matriarch of her family. In her life, she enjoyed baking, cooking, quilting, spending time with her family, her pets, and her garden. Anything Florence did, she did with precision and excellence. She was a gracious hostess and a calm personality to spend time with. There are many words that can be used to describe Florence. Her family provided the following: steadfast, patient, admirable and compassionate. Florence was also the definition of adaptable. Florence could sit in a room with royalty or with beggars and be comfortable and pleasant the whole time.
She had a great love for animals of all kinds. In her last years, her passion for her dogs Penny and Jan, gave her motivation to be active and also gave her a best friend beyond Billy, her husband. There was no question on how Florence felt about anyone in her life. She may have been quiet at times, but each family member and friend knew her thoughts about any matter. She and Billy provided their family with a balance that is rarely achieved by a couple- stability, support, and dedication.
Florence was a loving mother to two boys, Kenny and David. She was stern and ensured her boys were raised with manners and respect for those around them. While she and Billy kept a strict household, Florence showed her boys the true and pure love only a mother can show. Her boys, and their friends, knew that Florence was not the mom to disrespect. While being stern, she also wasn't afraid to laugh or share a beer with them.
Florence was a devoted grandmother to Michelle and Amanda. Never missing a birthday or life event. Her granddaughters remember the care she put into teaching them skills like cooking and quilting as well as teaching them patience with puzzles and cards. Florence made the girls a countless amount of clothes throughout their childhood including a prom dress, a pageant dress, and many other fashionable outfits. She and Billy took the girls on exciting vacations, ensuring that they experienced the United States and all the beauty it offered. When not on vacation, Billy and Florence would create memories for the girls at their home by setting up a slip-and-slide in the backyard or building an authentic teepee for the girls to camp in.
Florence soon gained three great grandchildren and never said "no" to them coming over and playing on the living room floor. In fact, she rarely said "no" in general with these three babies. When one was sick and needed attention from their mom, Michelle, Florence was happy to take a great-grandchild for the day or night in order to provide relief. She enjoyed talking and babbling with the babies and treating their incomprehensible conversations with the same importance as she'd treat a conversation with any adult.
Florence is survived in love by her husband of 69 years, Billy Sifford. Her sons Kenny (Gail), and David Sifford. She's also loved by her grandchildren Michelle Downs (Ricky), and Amanda Stephenson, (Chip). Florence has six great-grandchildren, Kenndra, AJ, and Emma Downs and Sarah, Spencer, and Sophia Stephenson. She also has one great-great granddaughter, Ella Nicole Downs. All immediate family resides in Northwest Arkansas. Surviving Florence are her sisters Gladys Spring (Texas), and husband Donnie, and Lindy Varner (Texas) with husband James, and sister-in-law Peggy (Sifford) Thompson (Virginia). Florence is preceded in death by her parents Sarah (Schlenker) and Elmo "Dutch" Dean.
A heart-felt thank you to all the staff at the Circle of Life in Bentonville for providing excellent care and respect for her and the family. It was a true blessing to say good-by and talk of memories of her in the quiet and peaceful setting. Also, thank you to the staff at Highlands Nursing Home for the care provided this last year.
To make a donation in memory of Florence Sifford, please give to the Union Congregational Church, Friona, Texas or visit Parmer Paws and donate monetary gifts or time (https://parmerpaws.org/)
A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Texas.
Sunrise for Dorothy A. Wilson of Friona was August 25, 1947 in Clovis, New Mexico with her parents John Richard and Jewel Green Ransom, and Sunset at the age of 75 was September 27, 2022 at her home in Friona. Home Going Services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Dorothy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She had a smile that would light up a room. She enjoyed being around her family, going to church and was a member of the Salvation Army Church in Clovis since 1969. She loved to cook, play dominoes and read. She will be evermore missed.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Richard and Jewel Ransom, husband- Edgar James Wilson, 1 sister-Minnie Loyoza, 2 brothers-Robert and John Ransom, 1 son-James McClendon, 2 daughters-Minnie Jeannett Coker, and Carmeila Rochelle Burns.
Those to mourn her passing include 2 daughters-Dorothy Baldwin of Diboll, Texas, and Rachel Wilson of Burbank California, 4 brothers-George Ransom of Wichita Falls, Texas, Marvin Ransom of Fort Worth, Texas, Wilbur and Elvis Ransom of Clovis, New Mexico, 5 sisters- Ruby Ollison of San Antonio, Alberta Shephard, Emma Archie, Anesta Chapman and Jossie Jackson, all of Clovis. 10 grandchildren in total, a host of great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, and her longtime caretaker Mary Castillo of Friona.
You may send blessings to the family and sign the online register book on Dorothy's memorial page at: hansardfamily.com