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Sunday, September 12, 2010 2:00 P.M.
New Holt Baptist Church 210 Verdery Street Harlem, Georgia
Reverend Melvin Adams, Pastor

Miss Mary Elizabeth Sanders, age 97, of Harlem, GA entered into rest on Monday, September 6, 2010 in Augusta, GA. Miss Sanders was born September 12, 1912 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Will E. and Laurelia Pettis Sanders. She was the oldest of three children and was pre ceded in death by her parents and brothers, Rufus H. Sanders, Sr. and Marion Timothy Sanders, Sr.
She attended Pollard Academy in Columbia County during her elementary years and because there were no high schools in Harlem for Black students, her parents enrolled her in Athens High School, Athens, GA. Miss Sanders continued her education at Savannah State Univer sity, receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and earning her Masters of Edu cation Degree from South Carolina State University.
Miss Sanders began her teaching career when she completed high school in the mid-1930s. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse in McDuffie County with no electricity or running water. Miss Sanders' mother, a teacher, and her father, a farmer, both had a love of education and encouraged their only daughter to continue her education while she taught. In 1954 she was hired by John Pierce Blanchard to teach in Columbia County at Pollard Academy where she began her own education many years before. Afterwards, she became the first Principal of George T. White Elementary School. Miss Sanders credits the late John Pierce Blanchard for mentoring her during the many years she worked for the Columbia County School Board of Education. Later in her career she was named Principal of North Harlem Elementary School where she diligently served 17 years until her retirement. Miss Sanders extraordinary educa tional tenure spanned 55 years.
The awards and accolades Miss Sanders received during her life are numerous and prestigious. She received the Distinguished Service Award from the Georgia Association of Educators, Outstanding Citizen of the Year from the City of Harlem, GA, and an Administrative Services Award from the McDuffie County School System to name a few.
In 1993 Miss Sanders was elected to serve on the Columbia County Board of Education and was the first and only Black elected official in Columbia County since reconstruction. Miss Sanders organized night classes for veterans following World War II and did so for twelve years. Her service to veterans was noted and she was also the first woman and first Black to serve on the Georgia Local Selective Services Board from 1973-1974.
Miss Sanders was a life member of the National Education Association, and twice served as a delegate at the National Convention. She was also active in the PTA both locally and nation ally. She was an active member of New Holt Baptist Church in Harlem, GA where she served in many capacities; Church Clerk, Historian, Senior Choir and Missionary Society to name a few. In 1996, New Holt Baptist Church established the Mary E. Sanders Scholarship Fund.

Miss Sanders was proud o f being a resident of Columbia County and a lifelong resident of Harlem, GA. On March 1, 1992 a dedication ceremony was held at North Harlem Elemen tary School to name their library in Miss Sanders' honor. The City o f Harlem's Mayor also proclaimed it to be " Mary E. Sanders Day" . In 2008 the new community center in Harlem was named after her as well.
Miss Sanders is survived by her devoted nephews; Rufus H. Sanders, Jr., Marion Timothy (Clarice) Sanders, Jr., Kenneth (Carmen) Sanders I, Ignatius Harris (Victoria) Sanders, Sr. and Warren (Karen) Voliton, and many other relatives and friends.

Rev. Melvin Adams - Officiating Processional................................................................................................................................Brenda Pollard
Blessed Assurance
Selection................................................................................................................... G.R. Dent Gospel Choir
Spiritual Readings Old T estam en t...................................................................................................... Rcv- Frederick Favors New Testam ent............................................................................................Rev. Henderson Robinson
Pravcr ....................................................................................................................................Rev. R scoe Perry
Reflections (lim it to 2-3 m inutes please) Doris B e lch e r..........................................................................................................................Close Friend Vinola Hill ......................................................................................................................Life Long Friend Dea. Ed G erm an y...........................................................................................................................Deacon Kenmond Sanders ............................................................................................................ Great Nephew Donald T h o rn h ill.............................................................................Former Superintendent Schools Columbia County Robert W. Culpepper ............................................................................................ Mayor Harlem, GA
po e m .................................................................... In v ictu s...................................................Kanika Stanford
Acknow ledgem ents.................................................................................................................... Sandra Lewis
Musical Tribute........................ I f I C ould H elp Som ebody. ...................... Timothy Sanders, Jr. and Latson E. Sanders
Eulogy................................................................................................................................ Rev. Melvin Adams
Recessional
Interment Second Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
I love people; I believe in boys an d girls the men an d women o f tomorrow. I believe that life should be lived to the fullest, an d that can be best achieved through education. I believe that learning is continuous, life-long an d in truth unfinishable. I have tried to live true to my M aker to practice His teachings in dealing with myfellow m an. I have tried to dedicate my talents an d to g iv e o f my time, influence an d means to help others. I have sought divine gu idan ce to achieve, i f any, success I may have accomplished.
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Georgia
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04 LC 99 0291
House Resolution 1795 By: Representatives Fleming of the 79th, Harbin of the 80th. and Burmeister of the 96th
A RESOLUTION
Commending and recognizing Mary Sanders; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Mary Sanders is one of Columbia County's and the nation's finest, most dedicated, and experienced individuals ever to work in education; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Sanders has spent 56 years in education and was Columbia County's first black school board member; and
WHEREAS, though she is a native of Harlem, Georgia, there were no high schools for black pupils in her area, so her parents sent her to Athens High School in Athens, Georgia, to receive her secondary education; and
WHEREAS, when she began teaching in 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president and children were still educated in one-room school houses; and
WHEREAS, she was hired by Columbia County School Superintendent John Pierce Blanchard to teach at Pollard Academy, an elementary school, in 1954 and was named the school's principal m 1958; and
WHEREAS, a position became open at North Harlem Elementary School and she took the job and served as its principal for 17 years; and
WHEREAS, she served one term on Columbia County's school board, beginning in 1993; she declined a second term so she could care for her sick brother; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Sanders currently is an active member at New Holt Baptist Church where she serves as its clerk.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that this body commends Mary Sanders for being a pillar of the education community and recognizes her to be a dedicated educator who is greatly admired by parents, fellow educators, administrators, elected official! and, most of all, her students.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Mary Sanders.
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Rufus H. Sanders, Jr. Kenneth E. Sanders, I Warren N. Voliton

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Marion T. Sanders, Jr. Ignatius H. Sanders, Sr. Kenneth E. Sanders, II

Columbia/McDuffie Mission Society

When I come to the end o f the road A n d the sun has setfo r me I want no rites in abloom filled room
Why cryfo r a soul setfree Miss me a little but not too long A n d not with your head bowed low Remember the love that we once shared MISS ME B U T LE T ME GO. For this is a journey we all must take
A n d each mustgo alone It'S all a part o f the Master's plan
A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick a t heart
Go to the friends we know A n d bury your sorrows in doinggood deeds
MISS ME B UT LET ME GO
Author Unknown
The family of the late Miss Mary Elizabeth Sanders wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the many friends who gave of their time and energy during our time of sorrow. Words are inadequate to express our gratitude. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mary E. Sanders Scholarship Fund of New Holt Baptist Church in Harlem, GA. Avery special thanks to Miss Sanders' devoted caretakers: Kenneth, Carmen, and Kenmond Sanders, Sarah Whitaker, and Phyllis Scott. May God richly bless each of you.