Mildred (Little) Sanders

Edna Mildred Little Sanders was born October 17, 1927 to William Evan and Dorothy Granger Little. In the early years, the family lived in San Pedro, California, then moved to a farm east of Geary when she was a young child. Mildred was the second oldest of 8 children. Mildred graduated from Geary High School in 1946. She married Carl Martin Sanders on August 23, 1947 and moved to the family farm south of Greenfield. After the passing of Carl’s parents, Carl and Mildred continued the family farming operation and this is where they raised their family.

They were blessed with four children: Carla Sheryn, Lea Denise, Janice Alyne, and Thomas Loren. Mildred worked at Opportunities, Inc in Geary doing flower arrangements and cooking. In 1976 they started a new endeavor in Geary called Sanders Dry Goods. They owned and operated the variety store for a number of years.  Mildred taught herself to paint and enjoyed painting throughout her life. She loved to enter her paintings in the Geary Fair and often gifted them to her family members.  She worked at The TB Ferguson Home in Watonga for over 20 years. She enjoyed sharing the museum’s place in Oklahoma history with all that visited.

After Carl’s passing, June 5, 1992, Mildred moved to her home in Geary where she enjoyed painting, gardening, and crafting. Mildred decorated for every holiday and season and cherished visits from family and friends. During this time in her life, she also enjoyed reconnecting and spending time with her siblings and traveling with her brother, Bill and sister, Fern. Some of her favorite trips were Ireland, Poland, and Germany. She also enjoyed the time she spent on the Geary Library Board.

In June of 2019, Mildred decided to move to Weatherwood Assisted Living Center in Weatherford, Oklahoma due to progression of her macular degeneration and recent illnesses. She enjoyed her 2 bedroom apartment and made many new friends there. Recently she became unable to do for herself and moved again to Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Hydro. Here is where she received comfort from her daughter Denise and Hospice her last days. She passed on September 12, 2021 at the age of 93.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Evan and Dorothy Little; sister, Ruth; sister, Jean; brother, Herb; brother, Bill; husband, Carl; daughter, Carla; son-in-law, Charlie; and grandson, Jerrid.

She is survived by her sister, Fern Moore of Calumet; sister, Cathie Choate of Yukon; brother, Jack Little of Albuquerque;  son-in-law, Gary Burns of Geary; daughter Denise Fuller of Geary; daughter Janice and husband Joe Glass of Mountain View; son Tom and wife Melissa Sanders of Brunswick, Georgia; 12 grandkids, 33 great grandkids, and 1 great-great granddaughter.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Geary Fair Board.

Graveside Services: 10AM, Thursday, September 16, 2021, Geary Cemetery, Geary, OK

Officiating:  Mr. Jim Luckie and Ms. Nicola Kreizenbeck

Services under the direction of the Turner Funeral Home, Geary, OK,   

 Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).

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