Bobbie Jean Pitts Sanner, age 79, passed peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her family in the early hours on February 17, 2026 — on her Daddy's birthday and her daughter's baptism anniversary.

She was born September 28, 1946, in Sandhill, Des Arc, Arkansas, to Herbert and Ethel Drew Pitts and was raised in the cotton fields of Sandhill. She left school to help her family pick cotton, but continued her education and obtained her GED, a reflection of the strong work ethic she carried throughout her life.

Bobbie married the love of her life, Jim Sanner, on November 22, 1963, and they shared 63 wonderful years together. She was known for her tireless dedication and hard work. She held many jobs over the years, but her longest tenure was at Remington Arms in Lonoke, where she worked for 30 years before retiring. After retirement, she joined her husband at Sanner Oil Company and helped with other family businesses until her full retirement in 2015.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Jim Sanner; her two children, Brian Sanner (Karen Knight) and Vickie Sanner Covington, all of Des Arc; and a special grandson whom she raised from infancy, Little Bradley Sanner. She also leaves behind five other grandchildren: Joseph Grammar; Bradley (Anna) Sanner; Alisha (Chris) Cawthorn; Wyatt (Brianna) Covington; JJ (Ashley) Sanner; and granddaughter Amanda (Shannon) Wilkerson.

Her legacy continues through her many great-grandchildren: Ian; RaeLynn Lisko; Rianna Covington; Caple Cawthorn; Shane and Kaylie Lauderdale; Jayden Bayless; Wylie Covington; Larry, Hailey, Audrie, and Cassidy Sanner; Robert Lee (Celci) Sanner; and Jayden Davis; as well as great-great-grandchildren Eugene and Esmae Sanner. Bobbie took immense pride in her family. Her face would light up whenever her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were near, and she truly lived for them.

She is also survived by four loving sisters: Wanda Harris of Lonoke, Christine (John) Reidhar, Bettie Newton of Des Arc, and Carolyn Roller of Benton. She shared a special bond with her sisters that many long for in this life, and she was deeply cherished by them. As well as 9 nieces and nephews and 11 great nieces and nephews and 2 great-great nieces.

Preceding her in death where her parents Herbert and Ethel Drew Pitts, mother-in-law Gladys Tootsie Sanner, brother-in-law Harvey Joe Sanner, niece Nan Newton, great niece Amanda Harris and great nephew Justin Coots.

Bobbie was a faithful member of Lakeside Missionary Baptist Church, where her spiritual gift of service was most often expressed through cooking. If anyone in the community or church was in need, she prepared and delivered meals. She devoted decades to cooking for the Awana program, stepping away only within the last year due to declining health. Bobbie was known for her servant's heart and her desire to help others. She taught her children and grandchildren to trust in the Lord, to let God handle life's burdens, and she always seemed to have the right answer when guidance was needed and was always there whenever there was a need. She also was a very talented artist painting many paintings and things for family over the years. She loved to garden and she and Jim took pride in raising their own vegetables for years.

While our hearts ache and a great void has been left, we will forever cherish the faith and love she showed and taught each of us. We find comfort in knowing she is in the arms of Jesus and free from pain and celebrating with her mom and Dad, and the many friends and family that have gone before her. What a joyous day it will be when we all see her in Heaven. Bobbie's life stands as a testimony of faith and steadfast devotion, serving as a witness to all who knew her.

The family would like to thank Arkansas Hospice/Lifetouch for their care and support during her final days. Her granddaughter Amanda Sanner Wilkinson for coming and staying for several days and nights, to her granddaughter Alisha for following in her grandmothers footsteps and making sure none of the family ever missed a meal these last few months cooking for us even after she got off work at night and to her son Brian and Karen for caring and feeding her the dairy bar one of her favorites and her daughter, Vickie for taking a leave of absence from work to stay the last few weeks to care for her loving mother as well as her sister Wanda for feeding us sweets and sitting and keeping us nourished. Without our village we wouldn't have been able to give Bobbie these last few months at home peacefully surrounded by her family.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given to the Lakeside Missionary Baptist Church Awana program