Sandra Nan Elder

January 25, 1938 - November 23, 2020

Sandra Nan (Gunter) Elder was born January 25, 1938 in Pryor, OK to John C. Gunter Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Pyeatte) Gunter. She passed peacefully on Monday, November 23, 2020 in Centerton, AR. Sandra grew up in Siloam Springs, AR and graduated from Siloam Springs High School in 1955. On September 29, 1964 she married her beloved husband, Rex L. Elder of Gentry, AR. After living in Texas and Colorado, they returned to Northwest Arkansas and settled first in Maysville and then in Gravette. They were married for 46 years when he passed in December 2010. Together they had a daughter, Mary Lea. Sandra had a wonderful sense of humor and was a pleasure to be with. She enjoyed reading mystery and western novels, sewing beautiful aprons and other gifts for friends, cooking family recipes for loved ones and, most of all, visiting with family and friends. In October 2017, she finally got to be a grandma and was a natural - she and her grandson, Liam, adored each other. Sandra is survived by her daughter, Mary Lea McSweeney; son in law, Matt and grandson, Liam, all of Centerton, AR; brother in law, Les Elder (Janiece) of Jay, OK; sister in law, Carol Guimarin of Scottsdale, AZ; sister in law, Sue Gunter of Cheney, KS and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Rex; parents, M. Elizabeth and John C. Gunter Sr.; sister Jeanne (Gunter) Tovrea; brother John C. Gunter Jr.; sisters in law, Shirley Jones and Una Dawdy; and brother in law, Chuck Elder. A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date when social distancing and other restrictions have been lifted.