Earlene Sanderson

When Eva Earlene Johnson Sanderson (79) left this life after a long battle with cancer on January 16, 2014, surrounded by her family who loved her dearly, she entered heaven to be greeted by family and friends who went before. Earline (Neanie) was born October 5, 1934, In Bigbee, Mississippi, to Audie Earl and Mary Louis Owings Johnson. She married Dick Sanderson in 1953. They had three children: Steve, Rick, and Merri Sanderson. She adored her sisters Mable and Frances and loved her brothers-in-law Theron Hood and Ed Harrison like brothers.

She graduated from Amory High School in the class of 1953. She worked as a telephone operator for South Central Bell in the 1950’s and also worked at Shoe Country and Casualaire Dress Shop. An active member of Meadowood Baptist Church, she served as pianist for over 35 years.

Earlene enjoyed Sunday afternoon picnics at Mama and Daddy Earl’s; Rook parties with her family; hamburger suppers and catfish cookouts at Frances and Ed’s; trips to Branson, Gatlinburg, and Gulf Shores with her family; and playing the piano at home and church. Her favorite season was fall and holiday was Christmas. She was a college and pro football fanatic and on Saturdays and Sundays could be found in her chair in front of the television especially to watch Payton Manning or with her family tailgating at MSU football games. She loved reading biographies, catching up with friends on Facebook, and laughing and eating with her friend Lazette at El Toro.

One of the best cooks her family knew, Earlene strove to create a perfect home-life by cooking homemade foods and entertaining her children, grandchildren, and their friends and her many friends as well. She wanted her home to be a warm and welcoming gathering place, scented with the aroma of something freshly baked.

She loved listening to Elvis, especially when he sang Gospel, and Vince Gill, Floyd Cramer, Josh Groban, the Gaithers, and the Statesmen.

In her last months, she was happiest sitting in her recliner with Dick and her faithful and beloved dog Bella beside her. She always enjoyed laughing when her children gathered and told “Dick and Earline” stories.

Earlene loved her friends and family and was always attentive to their needs before her own. Her legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and the many friends whose lives she touched. Adored and cherished by her family, whose lives will be forever touched by her, she will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister Frances Harrison,her nephew Eddie Harrison, her brothers-in-law Ed Harrison and Theron Hood, one granddaughter Mary Margaret Sanderson and one great granddaughter Faith Sanderson Wright. She is also preceded in death by her dear friend Linda Cadden, whose daughter Mollye she “adopted” when Linda died.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Dick; her three children Steve Sanderson (Mary), Rick Sanderson (Donna), and Merri Sanderson. She is also survived by grandchildren Claire Wright (Justin), Caitlin Holloway (Kyle), Katharine Elizabeth Riley (Ben), Joey Mills (Lori), and Derik Graves (Casey), and great grandchildren Paxton Wright, Nash Holloway, Nora Kate Riley, Chloe and Colby Mills, and Kinley Graves. She is survived by nieces and nephews Ramona Saxon (Bill), Brenda Boyd (Donald), and Susan Duke (Terry), and a host of great nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Saturday, January 18, 2014, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Meadowood Baptist Church. Service is Sunday, January 19, 2014, at 2 p.m. also at the church with Dr. Lloyd Sweatt officiating. Music will be provided by the Meadowood Baptist Choir. Interment follows at Haughton Memorial Gardens.

Pall bearers are Kyle Holloway, Justin Wright, Ben Riley, Derik Graves, Joey Mills, Brad Boyd, Paxton Wright, Matthew Duke, and Justin Duke. Honorary pall bearer is Ryan Hill.

Memorials may be made to Meadowood Baptist Church Music Fund or to Meadowood Baptist Church.