Paula Ann Sandford passed away in Creekside Inn care facility, Coeur d’Alene, at 4:37 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2012, surrounded by family members who sang hymns for her as she departed peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was born Paula Ann Bowman in Dodge City, Kan., Nov. 30, 1931, the first of five children of Paul and Edna Bowman.

Her brother, Jerry Bowman, resides in Fort Myers, Fla. Brother Stan Bowman is in Heaven, having passed away several years ago. Brother Lee Bowman lives in Arlington, Texas, and sister Sue Wilhelm is in St. Louis, Mo.

Paula attended Drury University in Springfield, Mo., where she married Rev. John Loren Sandford on Jan. 12, 1951. During 21 years in pastoral ministry, they served churches in Goshen, Ind., Chicago, Ill., Streator, Ill., Council Grove, Kan., and Wallace. In November 1973, John and Paula moved to Coeur d’Alene where they founded Elijah House Ministries Inc. Together they wrote 17 books, several of which have become pioneer classics in the fields of prophetic ministry and the ministry of inner healing. Paula, with the assistance of John, wrote two books, “Healing Victims of Sexual Abuse” and “Healing for a Woman’s Emotions.” John, aided by Paula, wrote the other 15.

John and Paula traveled to many countries around the world to teach and pray for healing. They pioneered teaching together, speaking five minutes each, back and forth. Paula was the first woman teacher allowed to speak in many churches, breaking the ice for many female speakers to follow. John and Paula pioneered writing books together, praying together and counseling together in prayer ministry. There are now 11 International Elijah Houses around the world, from New Zealand and many Asian countries to South Africa, Europe and India.

Along the way, they had six children, and Paula was very happy and blessed that all six and their spouses know and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Loren and his wife, Beth, are pastors in Denver, and Loren is the author of four books about prophetic ministry. Ami and her husband, Tony Lincoln, are prayer counselors here in Coeur d’Alene. Mark is the spiritual director of Elijah House; his wife, Maureen, serves on the Elijah House board. Mark teaches and counsels for Elijah House and has co-authored two books with his father, John. John Paul and his wife Ariel are members of a church in Kellogg. Tim is the band instructor at Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene, and his wife, Victoria, teaches Family Living, also at Lake City. Both are devout Christians. Andrea and her husband, Randy Bareither, attend New Life Church in Hayden Lake. Andrea often sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at ball games and is a devout prophetess of the Lord.

Paula was proud of all her six children, 20 grandchildren and more than 26 (and counting) great-grandchildren. Paula leaves behind her beloved husband and all her children and grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Martha Kinney and brother-in-law Frank Sandford and their families; and her Bowman family, except for her father and mother and brother Stan, long deceased.

St. Paul said that there is a treasure of reward laid up for him in Heaven. The family grieves losing Paula, but rejoices that after a seven-year bout with Alzheimer’s, she is now enjoying the rewards of her many years of faithful service. John looks forward eagerly to the day when they can be together again.

Funeral services will be held on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, 2012, commencing at 3 p.m. at Real Life Ministries, 1866 Cecil Road, Post Falls, reception following. Gifts are welcome, to defray last days costs and burial expenses. Checks can be written to Heart of the City Church, care of Paula’s Fund, Box 3219, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816.

The Sandford family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to all who prayed for Paula and sent gifts to cover her care, and a special thanks to all the nurses and attendants at Creekside Inn who gave her such good and kindly care for the past three years.

You may sign Paula’s guest registry and view her online memorial at englishfuneralchapel.com.