It is with sadness we announce that Wanda Ruth York Sanders passed from this earthly life on June 6, 2026, at age 86 after a lengthy struggle with dementia but we celebrate her life!
Wanda was born on January 26, 1940, in Freestone County, Texas, the second of four children of Ernest Bradford York and Beulah Lee Cate York.
She attended school in Fairfield and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1958. Following graduation, Wanda continued to work for Ivy’s Dry Goods in Fairfield.
In June 1960, Wanda married her high school sweetheart, John Ashley Sanders, and they enjoyed sixty years of marriage until John’s passing in April 2021.
John and Wanda had two sons, John Ashley Sanders, Jr., born in 1962, and Gregory Alan Sanders, born in 1967. Wanda was a devoted wife and mother who loved and provided for her family faithfully.
In 1963, a work transfer for John brought John and Wanda to Franklin. While in Franklin, Wanda worked as a bookkeeper for M&M Farm Supply for several years, and then she worked for Love Abstract & Title Company as a bookkeeper and partner from 1978 until her retirement in 2006.
Wanda became a Christian in her youth and was a faithful servant of God. John and Wanda were long-term, faithful members of First Baptist Church of Franklin where John served as a Deacon and Wanda sang in the choir and taught Sunday School, including the Ladies’ Ruth Class for many years. Wanda was also a hostess for many showers over the years given in the church and the community.
She had a keen sense of style in how she dressed, had a great sense of humor, and was an awesome cook. There was also a time she enjoyed playing tennis with her ladies’ group. Wanda loved the Lord, her husband, and her family.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents and husband John mentioned above, along with her brother Ernest Bradford “Sonny” York, Jr.
Wanda is survived by sons, John and wife, Kim of Huntsville, and Greg, and wife Deanne of Franklin; sisters, Gwen Steen of Teague, and Nelma Webb and brother-in-law Danny Webb of McGregor; brother-in-law Jerry Don Sanders and wife, Claudia of Fairfield; five grandchildren, Kelsey Clark and husband Chris, Chase Sanders and wife Emilie, Karly Keith and husband Cason, Bailey Elliott and husband Dylan, and Ashley Sanders; nine great grandchildren and one on the way, Anna and Caleb Clark, Coleman, Peyton, and Ella Sanders, Hudson, Landry, and Wyatt Keith, and Thomas and Baby Girl Elliott.
The family would like to thank the Memory Support staff at Creekside Methodist Retirement Communities in Huntsville, who faithfully cared for Wanda in a loving and positive way for five years.
Accordingly, if you prefer, donations may be made to MRC Creekside Covenant benevolent fund in Huntsville of the Methodist Retirement Communities, or First Baptist Church, Franklin in lieu of flowers.
–MRC Creekside Covenant Fund 1433 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, Texas 77340
–First Baptist Church, Franklin, Texas P.O. Box 365 Franklin, Texas 77856
Services were held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church Franklin, Texas.
A Burial followed in the Lake Chapel Cemetery in Fairfield, Texas at 4:30 P.M.
The family received visitors on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at McCauley Funeral Home in Franklin, Texas.
