Sarah Elizabeth Free McAnelly

Funeral services celebrating the life of Sarah Elizabeth Free McAnelly will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Jennings Chapel Congregational Methodist Church, Marthaville, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Bro. Butch Bruce and Bro. Chucky Clark. Interment will follow at Bethany Cemetery, Marthaville, Louisiana. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.

Sarah Elizabeth Free McAnelly went home to be with her Lord and Savior on January 15, 2024, at the age of 95.

She was born at home in Marthaville, Louisiana on October 29, 1928.

Beck, as she was known to her family, grew up in the Bethany community on a farm, attending Jennings Chapel where she learned to love the Lord.  She fed the chickens and picked cotton, dug peanuts, and if she wanted to read a book, she would sit in the peanut barn and pick the peanuts from the plants while she read.

She graduated from Marthaville High School in 1946 and moved to Plainview, TX with her sister Opal and her husband.

In 1947, she moved again with her sister and husband to Beaumont to work as a waitress.  It was there she met Clyde, who called her Liz.  He stood her up for their first date because he was in an accident and in the hospital.  She forgave him.  They were married on December 6, 1947, in Beaumont.  

Over the years, the family moved back and forth between Texas and Louisiana for various businesses, settling near Ft. Hood for her to continue her work with the civil service as an accounting clerk, which she had started at Ft. Polk.  She retired from Ft. Hood in 1986 and moved back to Louisiana.

No matter where Clyde and Liz lived, all were welcomed in their home as family regardless of how long or how well they knew them!  Their home was “home” to more people than could have fit in the house at one time.

After Clyde’s death, she maintained her home at Toledo Bend but spent her time with Robert’s family in Houston and Kay’s family in Temple.  

She was preceded in death by her parents Greenwood and Arlevia Free; husband Clyde McAnelly Jr.; son Robert Van McAnelly; sisters Minnie Thompson, Opal Williams Hines; brothers David Free and William Free.

She is survived by her daughter Kay Bubert and husband Larry, daughter-in-law Caryl McAnelly, granddaughters, Rebecca Wagner and husband Wayne, Carly McAnelly, Kelly Stanfield and husband Ty, Casey Sloan and husband Roger, great grandchildren Catherine Wagner, Jenna Wagner, Pepper Stanfield, Kai Stanfield, Van Stanfield, Teddy Stanfield, Kitt Stanfield, Cobie Stanfield, Leighton Sloan, Jude Sloan, and Cade Sloan.  Sister MaryAnn Weeks and husband CW and sister-in-law Edreth Free.  Honorary granddaughter Susan Lee and husband Verlin and honorary great grandchildren Isaac and Hannah Lee.  As well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorials may be made to the Bethany Cemetery trust fund in c/o of Ivadell Fenton, 202 Jennings Rd, Marthaville, LA 71450