Olive June Sanders (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Olive June Sanders, daughter of Estle P. and Bonnie Williams Coffey, was born January 25, 1917, near Vista, in Sinclair County, Missouri. She departed this life Wednesday, October 20, 2010, in St. John’s Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-three years, eight months, and twenty-five days.
On August 10, 1947, she was united in marriage to Martin Russell Sanders, and to this union two sons were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Martin, on January 18, 2006; and a brother, Arthur P. Coffey.
Olive is survived by two sons, Martin E. “Marty” Sanders, and his wife, Corazon D. “Corsee”, of Hillsborough, California, and Larry Sanders, of Columbia, Missouri; a granddaughter, Laura C. Sanders; a sister-in-law, Mary Beth Coffey, of Denver, Colorado; a niece, Karen Bash, of Shenandoah, Iowa; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
She was raised in the Osceola, Missouri area, where she graduated from high school. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri, and her Master’s Degree from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. She began teaching in Sinclair County, which was the start of a forty year career in education. After she and Martin were married, they soon moved to Lebanon, where they made their home and lovingly raised their boys. Besides being a devoted homemaker to her husband and family, Olive also continued teaching business classes, particularly typing and bookkeeping, in the Lebanon High School, until retiring in 1982.
Olive had made her profession of faith in Christ and was a longtime active member of First Christian Church. She had been a member of the Joy Sunday School Class for many years, and later was part of the Pairs and Spares Class. She was also very active in the women’s circles and Christian Women’s Fellowship.
She belonged to the Business and Professional Women’s Club for many years, and was a part of the Laclede County Retired School Personnel Association. She was dedicated to Martin and where you saw one, you usually saw the other. She greatly enjoyed teaching and always encouraged her students to reach their highest potential. Her family was very important to her and she especially adored her granddaughter.
Olive was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a kind and caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments, and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them throughout the years.
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