Carrie Sanders

Carrie Elizabeth Sanders, 65, of Fannett, died Friday, March 18, 2022. She was born December 12, 1956, in Hobbs, New Mexico, to Betty Burrows M^cClendon and Bobby Joe M^cClendon.

Carrie was also lovingly known as “sissy”, “Carrie lil’ butt”, “mommy”, “mama”, “mom”, “granny”, and “Aunt granny Carrie”. Her childhood would lead her to rise above to raise her children, grandchildren, siblings, cousins, and whomever else needed a mom at the time.

Carrie married Jon, the love of her life, on April 1, 1977. They dated for a whole two weeks before they got married! April 1, 2022, would have been their forty-fifth wedding anniversary. Together they raised two children, Tracy and Casey, and provided them a life they did not have. The number of sacrifices she made, none of them would ever know. She magically made money appear for every dance costume, competition, and any sport they played. For the better part of the last forty or so years, you could find her at the school, dance studio, gym, or a ball field. She never missed anything.

Carrie was a mom or grandma to most people in her life. She never turned a soul away. When her grandkids started coming into her life her focus changed. Elizabeth, better known as “Bizzee”, was the first-born grandchild. To have Carrie tell it, she hung the sun, moon, and stars. Next, Carson was born, the Hurricane Ike Baby. He was born a few days after Ike and in another act of selflessness, even after her home was destroyed, she and Casey drove several hours just so she could be there for the first twitch of her first grandson. Last but not least, Cooper, or as granny referred to him as, “the Coop”. She looked forward to him coming in every afternoon to get a french fries and say, “what’s up granny?” When “Bizzee” was born Carrie’s entire world changed. Granny’s entire world became her three grandkids. She lived for them. During her later life, her favorite thing was being at a softball or baseball field watching them do their thing.

Carrie absolutely loved her husband, Jon. For forty-five years they were by each other’s side day in and day out, usually at a ball field together watching their grandkids play the games they love.

“We love you Granny. Spread your wings and fly high. Give everyone a hug from us. It’s not goodbye but see you later. Love you to the moon and back!”

She is survived by her husband, Jon Sanders; children, Tracy Hawkins and husband, Lester and Casey Sanders and wife, Jessica; siblings, Barbara Kintner and husband, Carl and sister-in-law, Monica M^cClendon, all of Fannett; Scooter M^cClendon and wife, Charlotte, of Arlington; and Joe Pat M^cClendon and wife, Crispin, of Hemphill; grandchildren, Elizabeth Hawkins, Carson Sanders, and Cooper Sanders; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Carrie is preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Bobby M^cClendon; brother, James Kemo M^cClendon; and Aunt, Pat Scott.

A gathering of Mrs. Sanders’ family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 24, 2022, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12^th Street, Nederland. Her funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 25, 2022, at Broussard’s, with her interment to follow at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County, Nederland.

Memorial contributions in honor of Mrs. Sanders may be made to Labelle-Fannett Ladies Auxiliary, P.O. Box 21804, Beaumont, Texas 77720.