Martha Maudine Sealander

Martha Maudine Gardner Sealander of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2017, at the age of 96. She was born October 10, 1920, in Milo, Arkansas, as one of eight children to Edward Leroy Gardner and Jewel Alexandria Allen Gardner. Martha was a devoted and caring wife, mother and grandmother and she will be greatly missed. Martha graduated from Parkdale High School in 1939 and then taught at the Parkdale Elementary School from 1941 to 1942. She was honored to be chosen as Miss Ashley County at the Ashley County Fair in 1942. Martha met the love of her life, Donald, at Walgreen's on Main Street in Little Rock (he was a Master Sgt. In the U.S. Army Medical Corp. and stationed at Camp Robinson). Don was instantly smitten and she thought he was really cute. They married on July 11, 1943, at Parkdale Baptist Church. When Don was shipped out to Hickam Field in Honolulu, Hawaii, Martha moved to his hometown, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, where their two daughters were born. Martha attended Arkansas State Teachers' College and later received her B.A. in Education in 1970. She taught at Baker Elementary School and retired in June, 1985, after 30 years of teaching. Martha was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where she sang in the senior choir and had many close friends in the Phebean Sunday School class. She had many caring and loving neighbors who were there when she needed a helping hand. In return, she baked for them. Martha is survived by her brother, Frank Harold Gardner (Mary), two daughters, Mari Ann Garrison (Bill) and Donna Loe (Dale), her granddaughter, Dr. Julianne Duncan Corder (Justin), and two great-grandchildren, Nicholas Corder and Alexis Corder, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Arthur Sealeander, her sister, Mary Ann "Polly" Gardner Sacco, her brothers, Edward Leroy "Jake" Gardner, Jr., Ralph Irving Gardner (Tess), Robert Allen Gardner (Aline), Jack Crandall Gardner and William "Bill" Thomas Gardner (Mary Kathryn). A memorial service will be at Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 North Shackleford Road, on Monday, October 2, 2017, at 10 a.m., with Reverend Rick Jaggars officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. A graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. at Egypt Cemetery in Hamburg. Arrangements are by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home (501-224-8300). Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church Music Ministry or the Egypt Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, Route 1, Box 294, Hamburg, Ark. 71646. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.