Mary Barnes Sanders

Death is not a period, but a comma in the story of life…. ~Mary ~
Mary Magdaline Barnes Sanders made her debut on August 16, 1930. She was the sixth child born to
the late Lonnie and Charlotte Barnes of Princeton, North Carolina. She transcended to her eternal home on
December 14, 2018, after months of declining health.
She is preceded in death by her husband Herbert H. Sanders, her parents, Lonnie and Charlotte
Barnes, four siblings Dalma Leroy Barnes, Raymond Lewis Barnes, Elaine Barnes Murray and Betty Jean
Barnes Thornton.
Mary graduated from Richard B. Harrison High School in Selma, NC and from Beauty College in
Wilson, NC. She was a beautician by trade.
She joined Wesley Chapel AME Church. Her pride and joy was planting flowers on the church
grounds. She always set out pansies around the church sign.
She enjoyed going out to eat with the senior citizens and always sent a "Thank You Note" to Sister
Lillie Kirby who was in charge of planning the affair.
For years Mary was employed with Community Action under the leadership of Bishop Frank J.
Matthews. She also worked for Mr. and Mrs. John Wells and for the Fieldcrest Industry.
Mary is survived by: her son, Rickie Roystine Sanders of Hampton, VA.; four sisters, E. B. Penny of
Smithfield, NC, Frances Barnes Heckstall of Richmond, VA, Sarah H. Barnes Gragg of Philadelphia, PA and
Elizabeth Anne Barnes Whitley of Clayton, NC; two grandchildren, Rickie (Dana) of Laurel, Maryland and
Dionne Sanders of Landover Hills, Maryland; two great grandchildren, Jaden and Milan; her caretaker, who
has been her friend since they were seven years old, Mrs. Mary Cox Matthews; three godsons, Gordon Sanders,
Tobias Matthews and Darren Brown and a host of other relatives and friends.
"Death is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity….."