Mrs. Ruth Margaret (Sanford) Connally, age 87 of Gurley, died Friday. Mrs. Connally was born in Madison County to the late Floyd Raymond Sanford and Jessie Cleveland (Moore) Sanford. She was an active member of the Huntsville Chapter of the American Iris Society for many years. In addition, she enjoyed hybridizing new varieties of iris and also received many awards for her excellence in the field. Mrs. Connally was instrumental in Gurley’s acquisition of a new library. Her love of reading led her to serve many hours as a volunteer there. Other hobbies included sewing, needlework, gardening, and a special love for genealogy.
Mrs. Connally is preceded in death by her brothers, Louis, Glen, and Thomas Sanford and sister, Bess (Sanford) Hindman. She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years Ernest Thomas Connally, two daughters, Phyllis Connally Williamson and Carol Connally-Walters, and husband Wayne, four grandchildren, Jennifer Ward, and husband Ernie, Leslie Van Sant, and husband Richard, Emmaline Walters-Barnhill, and husband Bryan, and Connally Sanford Walters, four great-grandchildren, Rachel Ward, Christian Ward, Nate Van Sant, and Lily Van Sant, and many special nieces and nephews.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Spry Funeral Home of Huntsville. Mrs. Connally will lie-in-state at Gurley United Methodist Church Sunday 1:30 to 2:30pm. A service will follow at 2:30 PM with James Carroll and her niece Glenda Alvord officiating. Interment will follow at Gurley City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donation can be made to the Gurley Public Library, 225 Walker Street, Gurley, AL 35748
