Mona Sanders

Mona Parker Sanders died peacefully on November 26, 2024, at her home. She was born July 12, 1948, in Laurel, Mississippi, to Estelle Ainsworth Parker and Ira Mason Parker.

She graduated from Meridian High School in 1966, where she was runner up for Miss Hospitality. She first attended St. Ambrose University in Iowa and then transferred to Mississippi State College for Women, graduating in 1970. She was a member of the Lockheart Social Club and graduated with a degree in Biology. In 1971, she earned her Master’s Degree in Biology.

She then went on to teach science at Hunt Junior High School in Columbus, where on numerous occasions the Columbus Municipal School System elected her teacher of the year. After she retired to focus on her family, she occasionally worked as a substitute science teacher at Mississippi School of Math and Science and the Columbus public schools.

Mona was socially active in Columbus. She was a member of the Northhaven Woods Garden Club and a lifetime member of the Junior Auxiliary. She enjoyed many activities, such as gardening, bridge, Mahjong, and tennis. She became a Master Gardner, and she loved water skiing on Smith Lake in Alabama. She had many friends, including her bridge partners who continued to play with her at her bedside until just before she passed.

She was a true fighter. She valiantly fought brain cancer, and its treatment, with every ounce of strength she had from the time of her diagnoses in 1985 until the day she passed. She was loved and greatly admired by all.

She is survived by her husband, David Lawrence Sanders, of 53 years, her sons, William Parker Sanders (Catherine) and Robert Lawrence Sanders (Lindsey), and her grandchildren, States (12), Payson (11), Mary Alston (9), and Forrest (8).

Services will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Columbus, Mississippi, on December 2, 2024. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m., and the funeral service will begin at 3:00 p.m., followed by the burial at Friendship Cemetery.