Emily M. Sanford

Emily M. Sanford, 93, a former Meadville resident, died Friday, June 13, 2003 in Asheville, NC where she was a resident for the past 19 years.

She was born November 22, 1909 on a small farm near Meadville, the daughter of Richard and Mable Judd McKinney.  She married Charles L. Sanford, Jr. in 1934 and he preceded her in death April 18, 1995 after nearly 60 years of marriage.

She was a graduate of Edinboro State Teachers’ College and taught for 28 years in Crawford County and neighboring county school systems.  In 1972 she and her husband retired and moved to North Carolina, making their home near Waynesville.  In 1984, they moved to Givens Estates, a Methodist Retirement Community in Asheville, NC.

Music was the joy of Emily’s life.  She played the pipe organ at Grace United Methodist Church in Meadville for 25 years and, during retirement, continued to share her musical talents with others.

Survivors, include, two sons, Charles R. Sanford of Kennesaw, GA and Thomas J. Sanford of Columbia, SC; 15 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Roberta Mae Kendall and Katherine Ann Kirk.

The funeral service will be Monday at 2:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Service, 856 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805.

A graveside service will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Meadville, with the Rev. Ted Kirk, son-in-law, officiating.

Local arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335.