Little Genesee - Wilma M. Sanford, 96, of Little Genesee
went home to be with the Lord on Friday March 23, 2018. She was born on January
29, 1922 to Clark H. and Nida Ellis Seidhoff in Battle Creek MI. She grew up in
Salem WV. Wilma graduated from Salem High School in 1939, and from Salem
College in 1943. On August 7, 1943 she married Gordon L. Sanford at Scott Field
IL. She taught school in Somerset Ohio
and worked at a civil service job on Muroc Air Base (now Edwards) in
California. After World War II Mrs. Sanford came to live on the Sanford Farm in
Little Genesee. She was active in the First Seventh Day Baptist Church of
Genesee, serving as Treasurer, Deaconess and Trustee. In 2010 she was presented
with the Seventh Day Baptist Denominational Woman’s Board “Robe of Achievement”
in recognition of her dedication and service to her faith. She was a former
president of the Little Genesee Sunshine Society, and was involved with the Cub
Scouts and Girl Scouts. In 1994 she and Gordon were named Town of Genesee
“Citizens of the Year”. Wilma was also past president of the Little Genesee
Garden Club, a member of the Allegany Co. Bird Club, and the Genesee Quilters
Club. She stitched many quilts including one for each of her children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She and her beloved husband were
blessed with sixty-eight years of marriage enjoying their extended family and
many friends. They enjoyed traveling and were able to visit all fifty states.
Surviving are four
children: David (Patricia) Sanford Wyomissing PA, Cynthia (Gregory) Matthes
Springfield VA. Teresa (Douglas) Ploetz Little Genesee, Stephen (Deborah)
Sanford Union Dale PA. Ten grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, several
nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband two
brothers, a half-sister and a grandson.
It was Wilma’s request that there be no prior visitation. A
Memorial Service will be held in the First Seventh Day Baptist Church of
Genesee on Sunday May 27, 2018 at2 p.m. Burial will be in the Bowler Memorial
Cemetery Little Genesee. Memorials to First SDB Church of Genesee, PO Box 180,
Little Genesee, NY 14754; Or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Funeral
arrangements are under the direction of the Schaffner Funeral Home Inc. Bolivar.
