Jacqueline Williams Sanders

Edwards Small Mortuary announces with our deepest sympathy the passing of Jacqueline Williams Sanders On April 23, 2023.

Jacqueline Williams Sanders was a gentle, loving and caring in spirit.  Jackie as she was affectionately called was quiet in spirit and everyone who met her loved herfor her kind heart and mild spirit. She will always be remembered by her beautiful smile and charm.  On Sunday, April 23, 2023, God called Jackie to enter the Heavenly Garden of peaceful rest and everlasting life at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia surrounded by her family.

She was born on September 12, 1946, to the late Horaceand Mary Lizzie Williams in Fort Valley, Georgia.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Freddie Sanders, parents, and siblings: Anniette Glover, Horace Williams, and Curtis Williams.

Hearing the voice of God, at an early age she confessed her love for Christ and was baptized at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Valley, Georgia.  She served in many different capacities throughout her membership, but above all her roles she felt honored to serve as a Missionary and Sunday School Teacher.

Jackie completed her public-school education at HuntHigh School in Fort Valley, Georgia in 1966.  After high school, Jackie matriculated to Fort Valley State College,presently known as Fort Valley State University, receiving both a Bachelor of Education and Master of Science degrees.  Knowing she wanted to make a difference in the lives of children, Jackie answered the call to become an educator.  Though her career was beset with obstacles, her unwavering guiding philosophy was “They never told me I couldn’t do it.”  With this mindset Jackie became a master educator and taught for thirty-three years in both the Macon County Public School System and Peach County Public School System before retiring in 2006.  

As fate would have it, on April 28, 1973 she married the love of her life, the late Freddie Sanders, and the two stood as man and woman and were betrothed in a Holy Union and started their life together.  One child was born from this union.

Jackie loved to interact with her co-workers, friends, church members, and people in the community.  She was most involved with youth and young adults trying to inspire them to do good in their communities. She poured her heart out through various organizations.  She was a Boy Scout leader, Girl Scout leader, Habitat for Humanity member, and a servant in many other organizations.  She was also a member of the luxurious Gamma Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

“Jackie” as she was affectionately called by her family and friends, greatest interest was her family.  She expressed the most genuine love in her own way for herchildren, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews.  Her family will forever be grateful for how she took in many of her nieces and nephews in her home.  Although a family large in number, she had the ability to be attentive and the greatest supporter of each individual family member.  She was very proud of her daughter, son, grandchildren, and her family.  She absolutely loved being with her family.  Jackie remained a humble woman, but developed dear friendships during her lifetime at work, at church, and in the community.  Her presence and fun-loving personality will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. 

Jackie is survived by her children whom she loved dearly;Kaffeus Sanders and Katoyia Adams of Warner Robins, Georgia; brothers; Joseph (Marie) Williams of Wallace,North Carolina, Benjamin Williams of Jacksonville,Florida, Roy Drake of San Diego, California; sisters;Geraldine Williams and Patricia Williams of Atlanta, Georgia, Annell (Andrew) Dennis of Fort Valley,Georgia; grandchildren; Tavian Sanders, Jakia Sanders, D"Wayne Coleman Jr., all of Warner Robins, Georgia; great grandchildren; Emilee Rose Sanders, KaisleynSanders, and Ri'lan Emir Ross; devoted nieces and nephews that she helped rear in her home; Vondell, Raymond, Ronnie, Theophilus, Albert, Ulysses, Vernice,Verickia Glover, and Ginevra McDaniel; a very devoted brother and sister-in-law; Rosa and Curtis Sanders; alongtime sister/friend; Shirley Madison; a very devoted God Daughter, Angela Ezell; a host of devoted nieces,nephews, cousins, other family members and devoted friends that she loved dearly.