of Atlanta, GA

July 6, 1916 - October 20, 2007

Emma Jean Arthurs Sangster Sherrod, aged 91, who loved drama and real life with equal passion, died October 20 in Atlanta, Ga.
Jean was born July 6, 1916 in Cotton Plant, AR. She was the daughter of Willie Stewart Arthurs and William Anderson Arthurs, a merchant and cotton broker whose family had helped settle east Arkansas in the early 1800's. Jean's parents sought to provide every benefit for Jean and her younger sister, the late Mary Geraldine Arthurs Eser, or Jeri. Jean and Jeri attended college during the Depression. Jean went to Ole Miss to study drama and Jeri attended LSU, studying music. Jean later joined Jeri at LSU for graduate work.
Following college Jean traveled the Southeast with the Circle Players Theater Group, producing and acting in plays.
During World War II, Jean and Jeri went to Washington, D.C., to do their part for the war effort. They volunteered for the Red Cross and worked in Arkansas congressional offices. Jean found her niche working as a recreation director at Walter Reed Army Hospital, helping to host such Hollywood stars as Bing Crosby and Roy Rogers. Jean served as hostess for many of Washington's elite when they visited the wounded troops, including former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
Jean was married in Washington to the late Jack Sangster. Jeri played the violin at her wedding, accompanying famed organist Virgil Fox.
Jean returned to Arkansas after the war. She kept her love of drama satisfied by becoming a well-known book reviewer for numerous book clubs in the Little Rock area for more than 40 years. She seldom used notes and listeners often thought they were a part of the book being reviewed. She also produced plays and acted in performances for both church and community theater. She was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, Civil War Roundtable, Mothers of Chi Omegas, Women's City Club of Little Rock and the Tuesday Book Club, and volunteered at the Arkansas Territorial Restoration.
Jean was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Little Rock, First United Methodist Church of North Little Rock, and later Lakewood United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School for many years at all three churches. She enjoyed playing bridge and loved to entertain guests in her home.
She worked as a recreation director for Fort Roots VA Hospital and later for the Air Force, working at both Little Rock Air Force Base and Ramey Air force Base in Puerto Rico. Jean's second husband, the late Floyd Sherrod, was also a recreation director.
Jean and Jeri were avid travelers, visiting no less than 40 countries.
Her incredible sense of humor, love of life, and devotion to her friends and family will not be forgotten.
She is survived by one son, John William Sangster of Little Rock, and three daughters, Jerry Lynn Sangster Parlin of Sarasota, FL, Jacqueline Sangster Kinney of Atlanta, and Jean Arthurs Sangster Smith of Conway; a brother-in-law, G. Harry Eser of Newport Beach, CA; 10 grandchildren, Emily Light Parlin of Hood River, OR., Edward Parlin III of Arcata, CA., Jamison Kinney Riley of Fulton, MO., Reginald Kinney Jr., of Charleston, SC., Amanda Lee Kinney of Atlanta, Haskell Barrett Smith and Summer Skye Smith, both of Conway, John M. (Jack) Sangster of Fayetteville, Justin Greer Sangster of Jacksonville and Jay R. Sangster of Chicago, and two great-grandchildren, Emma Katherine Riley and Elizabeth Grace Riley, both of Fulton, MO. Another granddaughter, Elizabeth Stewart Parlin, preceded her in death.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 26, 2007, at Lakewood United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Cotton Plant Cemetery, Cotton Plant, AR. The family will receive friends from 6:00 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 25, 2007 at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd. North Little Rock (501-791-7400).
Donations may be given to Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1922 Topf Rd. North Little Rock, AR 72116 or Peachtree Christian Hospice, 3430 Duluth Park Lane, Duluth, Georgia 30096.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Owens Funeral Home
5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
North Little Rock, AR  72116
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com