V. ELIZABETH LOWRY SANDERS

VAN ELIZABETH LOWRY SANDERS, of Somerville, a person active for many years in community and religious activities while living in Fayette, Hardeman and Shelby Counties in earlier years, died at 11:10 P.M. Thursday, January 8, 2009 at her home on Jernigan Drive in Somerville where she had resided for the past fifteen years. She was 91 years of age and died following a six-year extended illness.

Funeral services for Mrs. Sanders were conducted at 3 P.M. Sunday, January 11th at Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. Don Hammons, Pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in District 15, officiating. He was assisted by Chaplain Richard Kilpatrick of the Caris Hospice Organization in Somerville. Interment followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-West Chapel of Oakland.

Mrs. Sanders was born March 20, 1917 in Bartlett, TN the daughter of V. P. and Mertie L. Lowry, now deceased. She graduated as Salutatorian from Millington High School in 1935.

She was preceded in death by the late Paul J. Sanders to whom she was married for 68 years before his death.

Mrs. Sanders was active in religious activities while a member, in earlier years, of the Egypt Baptist Church, Somerville First Baptist, Grand Junction Baptist and most recently of Mount Olive Baptist. She served as president of the P.T.A., President of the Women's Missionary Union, Delegate to the Southern Baptist Convention, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member and GA Leader and VBS Leader. She was also a volunteer leader for the 4-H Club of Shelby County for many years and was the "Volunteer Leader of the Year" for all of Tennessee and served in various other capacities in the community.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she loved her Christian family, gardening, reading camping and being with her children and grandchildren. She had many young people she mentored in church work and the 4-H Club who loved her and also called her "Mama Sanders".

Survivors of Mrs. Sanders include three daughters: Betty Lee Weeks (James) of Somerville; Paula Elizabeth Kuebler (Richard) of Houston, TX and Harriet Jane "Janie" Montgomery of Southaven, MS; seven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were Christopher Bishop, David Dunn, Jeff Kuebler, Todd Kuebler, Travis Kuebler, Matthew Montgomery, Dennis Price and Barry Weeks.

Honorary casket bearers were Justin Kuebler, Scott Kuebler, Spencer Kuebler, Randall Phelps, Chandler Price and Hunter Weeks.

The family request that Memorials be directed to either the Mount Olive Baptist Church, 9580 Jernigan Drive, Somerville, TN 38068, Phone: (901) 465-6053; Caris Hospice, 211 West Market St., Somerville, TN 38068, Phone: (901) 465-2120; The Gideon's, P.O. Box 212, Somerville, TN 38068, Phone: (901) 849-7102 or to the charity or organization of the donor's choice.