Mary Elizabeth Parsons Sanders, 100, of Marshall, MO, died Monday, May 27, 2024, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Marshall, with Rev. Philip Olson officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will follow in I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Otterville, MO.
Memorials are suggested to Covenant Presbyterian Church or American Cancer Society in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com.
Born May 26, 1924, south of Otterville, MO, she was the daughter of the late Jesse H. Parsons and Charlotte Hudson Parsons. She attended Brick School (a one-room county school) for eight years, graduating in 1938. During those years she was a member of the 4-H Club. Mary Elizabeth attended Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg during World War II, graduating with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1945. After teaching for one year, she married Cloyd E. Sanders on June 30, 1946 in Otterville. Cloyd preceded her in death on October 26, 1999. After living in Sedalia, Otterville, Trenton and Creston, IA, she and Cloyd moved to Marshall in December 1952. In Marshall, she worked in the family sewing machine business and Reid Jewelry. Mary Elizabeth was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a former member of AAUW and DAR and was currently a member of The Monday Club. She was also a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where she has served as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, Elder and a member of the Bell Choir. She had served as the church as representative to Presbytery, a member of Westminister Circle (Presbyterian Women) and the church Fellowship Committee.
In 2008, she received the Evelyn Bedell Award from the Missouri Union Presbyterian in recognition and appreciation of many years of faithful service to Covenant Presbyterian Church. In 2009, she received a Special Honor by Covenant Presbyterian Church in appreciation for her contributions to the life of Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include two granddaughters, Leslie Anne Sanders Leonhard of Excelsior Springs, MO and Jennifer Louann Sanders Kronewitter of Chicago, IL; three great-grandchildren, Jacob Aaron Leonhard, Cade Andrew Leonhard and Colin Alexander Leonhard; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mary Elizabeth was preceded in death by four children, Robert Edward Sanders and Nancy Gail Sanders Duey, a son in infancy, William Richard Sanders and a daughter in infancy, Anne Elizabeth Sanders.