Mary Marie "Rie" Sanders

Mary Marie Mapps Sanders was born on August 14, 1949, to the late Mr. M.C. Mapps Sr. and the late Mary Augusta Smith Mapps in Troup, Texas. On Friday, July 28, 2023, Mary departed this life to go home to be with our Heavenly Father.

Mary accepted the Lord at a very young age and was a member of Triumph the Church Kingdom of God in Christ and eventually at Faith Tabernacle of God in Christ where she remained a faithful member until her death.

She was a 1968 graduate of C.B. Dansby High School, Kilgore, Texas. On July 14, 1969, she married her high school sweetheart and soulmate, Willie Otis Sanders, and to this union, two children, Kenya and Jabali were born. Several years later after their children were grown, God blessed them to proud parents again to a beautiful little girl name Jayri’elle. Mary had a love for children and was affectionately known as “Aunt Rie”. She was everyone’s “go to mom” and was part owner of Luv Center Daycare for almost a decade. After Luv Center shutdown, Mary worked for Kennedy Gourmet and then Borg Warner. Then Mary was blessed with the opportunity to work with her babies while being the infant teacher at Grace Day Care until she retired.

Mary was a wonderful woman of God, and she loved him with all her heart. She was a true ambassador for Christ and everyone she met. She was true prayer warrior, and her words were powerful. She was the listener, counselor, and great friend who never cast judgement. Mary was an excellent cook and was known for her potato salad and pecan pies.

Mary was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Willie Otis Sanders, parents M.C. and Mary Mapps, brother L.B. Mapps, sisters Eva Lois Mapps, Lou Emma Mapps Clayton, Beverly Mills, and Linda Sue Anderson, and a mother-in-law Lettie B. Conway.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories, daughter; Kenya Sanders Greer (Daimond) of McKinney, Texas, son; Jabali Sanders (Tiffany) of Carlsbad, New Mexico, special baby; Jayri’elle Sheppard of Kilgore, Texas. Grandchildren: Olivia Sanders of McKinney, Texas; Jordan Guerra (Ashton) of Grand Prairie, Texas; Keenan Sanders of Dallas, Texas; Darah Sanders, Maci Sanders, and Dre’van Sanders of Kilgore, Texas; Tyshona Roberts, Kristian and TaKara Ross of Hobbs, New Mexico, and Tae’Lynn Wickerson of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Great Grandchildren: Major Bledsoe, Jachai Guerra, Anori Sanders, Zyla Hall, Zazie Guerra, Niyah and NaKirin Sisters: Zella Medford, Dorris Ervin (Larry), Neva Caldwell (Richard), Silvia Medford (Shelvie), Patrice Neal all of Kilgore, Texas and Lisa Mapps of Austin, Texas. Brothers: M.C. Mapps (Marsha) and Roddy Mapps of Kilgore, Texas. Sisters-in-law: Dearlynn Conway, Bonnie McGill (Randle), Linda Ware (Jason), Vicky Horton (Curtis) of Crowley, Texas, Christy Belcher (James), Opal Fisher of El Reno, Oklahoma, Mary Hilda Mapps of Houston, Texas. Brother-in-law: John Conway of Kilgore, Texas. Godchildren: Roderick Caldwell and Cryistal Caldwell and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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