Rachelle Hannah (Archer) Sanford

Rachelle Hannah Sanford passed away on January 13, 2025, at UAMS surrounded by her children, husband, and extended family. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on July 31, 1986, one of the hottest days to date in the state — a beginning her father cites as the source of her fireball personality. 

Growing up, Rachelle (known by her family as Joybells for her infectious laughter) loved to dance and was a cheerleader at Little Rock Christian Academy where she discovered a love of God and a passion for serving “the least of these.” Rachelle carried her conviction into the world, first working at orphanages abroad and later committing herself to trauma-centered education in the US. She achieved a BA in education and an MS in applied behavioral analysis before becoming an elementary educator and helping to found and grow Hope Academy in Bentonville, Arkansas. 

She is survived by her husband and love of her life, Jeff Sanford; her five children, Johnathan, Sam, Michael, Olivia, and Blake Leigh; her granddaughter Eden Sanford; her parents, Scott and Kathie Archer; her parents-in-law, Joseph and Kathy Sanford; her siblings, Caleb Archer, Candace and Travis Caldwell, Ashley and Blake Loy, Ethan and Olivia Archer, Caleb Momphery, and Malachi Momphery; her brother- and sister-in-law, Joseph and Lizzie Sanford; her grandparents, Jack and Mary Archer; and her grandparents, Dianna and Eugene Howe.

Please join us in celebrating her life on Sunday, January 19 from 2-4pm at The Great Hall at Thaden School in Bentonville. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rachelle’s honor to Project Zero, The Call, and the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 10515 W Markham St, Suite B1, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so using the Guestbook section.

www.arkansascremation.com