Sara Randall Viguet

Sara Randall Ross Viguet, 77, departed this life at home on Free Ferry Road on July 9, 2013. Historic preservation in Fort Smith has lost a champion. Randall was born on February 29, 1936, at Saint Edward Hospital into a pioneer Fort Smith family. Randall actually only celebrated 19 birthdays as she was a leap year baby. She attended Fort Smith Public Schools and graduated from Fort Smith Senior High School in 1953. She attended Centenary College in New Jersey and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in History. She also graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta with a degree in Interior Design. She married Robert Joel Viguet, Sr. while they were both students at the University of Arkansas. Randall has been a transformational leader in Fort Smith for many years. Among her activities are life membership in Saint John’s Episcopal Church, past member of the vestry and the alter guild, the Junior League of Fort Smith, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, Delta Beta Sigma Sorority and Master Gardener. She has served on the Oak Cemetery, Clayton House and Bonneville House boards in the past. She was a competitive bridge and tennis player and an avid world traveler. Randall has been very active in architectural restoration and preservation in Fort Smith. She was instrumental in the formative years of the Clayton House and the Fort Smith Historic District. She, along with her sister, Sue Cross, authentically restored the Casper Reutzel house, one of the oldest houses still standing in Fort Smith. She co-authored the book, Reflections of Fort Smith in 1976 with her sister, Sue, and the late Julia Yadon. This was published for the promotion of historic preservation in Fort Smith. She was passionate about the founding of the Belle Fort Smith Association and was devoted to the first Belle Grove Tours. Randall has been a pillar of the Free Ferry Road in Fort Smith by restoring her family home on that street in the 1960’s when the area was in decline and has encouraged others to do the same, in particular, her daughters, Sara Goodwin and Suesann Viguet. Fort Smith is a better place due to the passion of Randall Viguet. Randall was preceded in death by her parents, Ann Martin Ross and Rutherford Jackson Ross, Jr.; her brother, Rutherford Jackson Ross, Jr. and sister, Mary Jule Ross Crouse. She is survived by her husband, Robert Joel Viguet, Sr. of the home, son, Robert Joel Viguet, Jr. and his wife, Janet McChristain Viguet, and children, Meridith Leigh Viguet, Claire Elise Viguet and John Ross Viguet of Houston, Texas; daughter, Suesann Dearing Viguet and children, Sara Mason Skulman and Laura Hamilton Skulman of Fort Smith; son, Rutherford Ross Viguet and his wife, Lisa Eddy Viguet, and children, Blair Dawn Ann Viguet and Sara Alexandria Viguet of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Sara Randall Viguet Goodwin and her husband, Bryan, and children, Alexander Van Goodwin, Jackson Lanier Goodwin, and Anastasia Katherine Goodwin of Fort Smith; and her sisters, Sue Ross Cross of Fort Smith and Ann Ross Pestel of Bella Vista. Family will meet with friends Thursday, July 11, 2013, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., at the home of Sara and Bryan Goodwin. Memorial Service will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 12, 2013, at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. On line condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com