SHIRLEY L. PLUNKETT SANFORD

Shirley L. Plunkett Sanford of Saltillo, departed her 89 years earthly pilgrimage and met her Creator from NMMC on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. A humble, kind, loving and encouraging lady, Shirley was born on Feb. 17, l936 in Holmes County (Tchula), Ms. to the late Earl Plunkett and Leedie Edwards Plunkett. She spent her growing up years in Tchula and graduated from Tchula High School. She married James R. “Sonny” Sanford on Aug. 3, 1957, a marriage of 68 years until her death. She went to work for Henson-Kickernick Garment Mfg. in Lexington where she worked 20 years until the family moved to Tupelo in l975. She finished her working career after 22 years in Tupelo area garment manufacturers. At 62, she put her sewing machine up. For the next 27 years, she was a master housewife and homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother doting over and caring for her husband, children and the grand’s, who lovingly called her MeMaw! She was a faithful member of Barnes Crossing Baptist Church and loved attending until her health failed. Family was most important to her. She cherished watching her grandchildren grow up and having children of their own. Her legacy will be that of a woman who cared, encouraged and loved family supremely and lived a simple, virtuous Christian and purpose filled life. A service celebrating her life was held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with her pastor, Bro. Dennis Sullivan and Pastor Rob Garland officiating. Visitation will begin at Noon Tuesday only at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo which is honored to be serving their dear friends. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming, and will be archived thereafter.
Shirley is survived by her husband Sonny Sanford of Saltillo; her daughter Judy Sanford Smith (Charles Herbert) of Tupelo; and son Terry Sanford (Basi) of Mooreville; five grandchildren, Ashley Greer Baker (Jason), Caleb “Sparky” Smith (Ashley), Kelsea Smith, Adam Sanford (Lindsey), Haley Conrad (Stewart); great grandchildren, Maguire, Hampton, James Michael, Easton, Aden, Sophia, Taylor, Camden, Riley and one great great grandchild, Chance; her sisters in law, Brenda Sanford Ledbetter, Louise Gilbert (John), Rosa Plunkett and Judy Plunkett; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Leddie Plunkett; a great grandson, Miles; and three siblings, Margaret, Preston and Norris. Pallbearers were her grandson’s and grand sons in law, Sparky, James Michael, Adam, Maguire, Jason, and Stewart. Honorary pallbearers were Danny Lucius, Thomas Mize, Brad Carter, Bro. Jackie Spencer, James Buse, Jerry Davis, and Dennis Carr.
Memorials may be made to Barnes Crossing Baptist Church, P. O. Box 4253, Tupelo, Ms. 38802. Condolences may be sent to Shirley’s memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.