Biography: Elsa Ruth Shannon passed away in Harrison, Arkansas on Monday, January 26th, 2009. A memorial service was held in Little Rock, Arkansas on Sunday, February 1st, 2009. The beloved daughter of Fred W. Sanders and Beatrice (Westbrook) Sanders, she was born in Ocean Park, California on July 25th, 1918. She grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas where her father was a successful businessman and well-respected member of the Little Rock Community. Upon graduating high school, Elsa attended Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana where she majored in voice. In addition to playing the violin she was a dancer. She began a professional career after finishing her voice training in New York, New York. She was performing with the Cleveland Light Opera Company where she met and married the love of her life, Thomas Peeler Shannon, known to family and friends as Jack, in 1948. After marriage they appeared together at the Paper Mill Playhouse and on Broadway. They appeared in joint recitals before concert audiences throughout the United States. They appeared on network TV as well as the Roxy Theater and Palace Theater in New York City. They performed for our armed services in Italy, Germany, Monaco, Portugal, Libya, Japan, Hawaii, Newfoundland, Labrador, Greenland, Alaska, Korea, South America, Panama, Cuba and Canada. Elsa loved all animals and from the time she was little always had a pet dog in tow. She had a special affinity for miniature schnauzers and owned many throughout her lifetime. She is preceded in death by an infant child; her husband, Jack; her parents; and a brother, Fred W. Sanders, Jr. She is survived by a host of cousins, Sandra and Hollis Pruitt , Laura and Brad Joseph, Keith and Sue Maddison all of Little Rock, Arkansas, Evelyn Carter and Ann Monahan of California, David and Debbie Pruitt of Texas, stepson, Tommy Shannon of California, special friends Terri Coats and Shannon Corrigan of Harrison, Arkansas. Special heartfelt thanks to Dr. Sam Scroggins and Dr. Joe Padilla of Harrison, Arkansas for their good care of Elsa through the years. Memorial contributions can be made to the: Ozark Humane Society, P.O. Box 542, Harrison, AR 72602. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.