Charleen Murphy Sanford

In Loving Memory of Charleen M. Sanford Charleen (Char) was born on December 2, 1937, to Clyde and Virgie Murphy. At just 16 years old, Charleen married the love of her life, James T. Sanford, on August 7, 1954. Just two weeks after their wedding, James was deployed for two years, beginning what would become a remarkable life together filled with love, family, adventure, and service. While James was away, Charleen lived with her Mama Lee and graduated from high school in Tupelo, Mississippi. Then worked in the Chicago area, living with her mom and dad. From there, the young couple began their great Army life together. Their journey took them to Georgia, three years in Vicenza, Italy, and then to Fort Riley, Kansas. Charleen earned her associate degree in cosmetology from Manhattan, KS, and became a hairdresser. She finally closed Char's Cut and Curl at 80 years old. The family later moved to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where James and Char received a very special call from the Army Chaplain: they had a baby girl waiting for them. Their daughter, Stacy, joined their family and became the center of their world. When Stacy was two years old, the family moved from Arizona to Darmstadt, Germany. There, they met the Bush family, who were from Kansas and would become lifelong friends. As the men prepared to serve in Vietnam, both families made the decision to return to Junction City, Kansas. James ultimately served two tours in Vietnam before retiring from the Army in May of 1973. Char and James made their home in Junction City, where they lived in four different homes over the years. Two of those homes included beauty shops, something Char intentionally created so Stacy could come home after school and never have to be alone. Then came the Buchanan's. My mom first met Lee as a customer at the beauty shop, and, as life has a funny way of doing, that relationship grew into something much more. The Bushes and Buchanan's became more than friends-they became family. We were blessed to have them in our lives, and that friendship remained a very special part of our family's story. Love you all so much-Carol, Tracey, and Kathy. After retirement, Charleen and James embraced an active life together. They learned to play golf and became devoted members of the Junction City Country Club. It was there that Char was introduced to Mahjong, a game she loved and continued playing faithfully until March of 2026. Char was also a proud member of Beta Sigma Phi for 40 years and was deeply involved in her church. The family attended the United Methodist Church until 1978, when they switched to the Presbyterian Church because, as the family remembers it, they had a better youth group. Char and James remained faithful and active servants of that church until August of 2018. Family, however, was always at the heart of Charleen's life. Her daughter, Stacy, married John Edmonds, and together they had Tanner and Shelby. Charleen and James loved being grandparents more than anything. Their grandchildren brought them immense joy, and they treasured every moment with them. As my dad began struggling with Alzheimer's, Stacy moved her folks to Georgia so the family could be closer and help care for them. My mom quickly made friends-Grace, Leslie, Denae, and Lindsay, you all helped my mom in so many ways - I can't thank you enough. My folks joined Cornerstone Methodist Church, continuing their lifelong commitment to faith and service. Mom loved her Sunday School. Char's greatest defining characteristic: She never had quiet hands. She was always trying a new craft, making quilts, doing needlework, or crocheting beautiful Afghans for babies, weddings, and the people she loved. Her hands were constantly creating something that would become a gift, a keepsake, or a memory. Charleen also loved having guests and entertaining. She opened her home and her heart to others and found joy in making people feel welcome. She loved each day she was given. Even when cancer came along for a third time and began taking away her strength and her flame, mom fought. She made it a few more years and gave everything she had until the very end. She was full of Irish stubbornness to the core; with her own opinions to go with it. Charleen M. Sanford passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of love, memories, laughter, faith, and friendship. She is survived by: Daughter, Stacy Edmonds, and her grand dog, Sage. Grandson, Tanner Edmonds, his wife, Daisy, and their daughter, Violet; her great-grand dogs, Ralphie and Diesel; her great-grand cats, Sunshine, and Pumpkin. Granddaughter, Shelby Cundiff, her husband, Tyler, and her great-grand dog, Peach. Char's legacy will live on not only through her family, but through every person whose life she touched. Her hands may finally be still, but everything those hands created-and all the love behind them-will live on forever. Rest peacefully, Mom. What a life you had. We all love you! Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

Charleen Murphy Sanford

December 2, 1937 - August 31, 2026