Wanda Jean Hall

Wanda Jean Hall 86, of Salem, Arkansas, passed from this walk of life on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at Fulton County Hospital in Salem. 

She was born in Byron, Arkansas on October 14, 1936, daughter of the late Noel Chester and Hazel Laverne (Bray) Sanders. One of her first jobs was with the Ben Franklin Store in Salem. After leaving Ben Franklin she went to work at North Arkansas Electric Cooperative where she met Boyd Ray. Wanda was initially attracted to his car and then fell in love with him, and they were married in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas on February 17, 1955, and from this union two daughters were born. She was a member of Salem First Baptist Church, board member of the Salem Cemetery Board and owner/operator of Salem Rodeo for 19 years with her husband, Boyd. Wanda worked for the Arkansas Department of Human Services as a social worker within the Division of Children and Family Services where she touched the lives of many children for 25 years and then retired in 1990 after spending five years in the Medicaid/Medicare Division in the Mountain Home and Ash Flat offices. Boyd and Wanda bought their farm in 1956 and already had 19 head of cattle. The farm was where they taught both of their daughters and all the grandkids to drive. Boyd and Wanda took many “National Lampoon Vacations”. They were so proud they were able to take the two oldest grandkids to 45 states, oceans on both coasts and into Canada and Mexico. Wanda was very instrumental in putting together the Fulton County History Book. She was an avid antique collector with a special interest in depression glass. Wanda enjoyed many creative outlets such as ceramics, flower arrangements and home décor. She loved her family and spending time with them, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Wanda is survived by her daughters, Kellye Jo McNulty and husband Steve of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Ginny Alford and husband Gregory of Thayer, Missouri; six grandchildren, Ashley Gordon and husband Kris, Alexandria McNulty, Olivia McNulty, Jessica Carlisle and husband Kyle, Jacob Alford and wife Kaitlyn and Jordan Alford; six great grandchildren, Tucker Gordon, Grace Gordon, Kadin Carlisle, Peyton Carlisle, Liam Carlisle and Maverick Alford; sister, Sheila Auten and husband Frankie; sister-in-law, Carol Sanders and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Boyd Ray Hall; parents; brothers, Noel Chester Sanders, Jr. and Larry Sanders; sister and brother-in-law, Nora Fay and Leon Jones.

Pallbearers include: Jacob Alford, Kyle Carlisle, Kadin Carlisle, Kristopher Gordon, Stanley Mitchell, Chad Mitchell and Cody Sanders

Honorary Pallbearers include: Steve McNulty, Greg Alford, Johnny Williams, Frankie Auten, Bill Crow, Joe Bartley and Mike Dover

Funeral services will be Friday, August 18, 2023, beginning at 2:00 PM with Bro. John Hodges and Bro. Tom Doty officiating at Doty Family Funeral Service Chapel in Salem, Arkansas. Interment will follow at Salem Cemetery in Salem, Arkansas. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at noon.

The family would like to thank the employees, nursing staff and doctors at Fulton County Hospital for the exceptional and compassionate care given to Wanda.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.