Thelma V (Harris) Sanders

A celebration of her life will be 1:00 pm, Thursday, January 23, 2025 at White Hill AME Zion Church in York, SC. Burial will follow at Grandview-Hollis Lakes Memorial Park in Rock Hill, SC. 

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, January 22nd at the funeral home.

To help spread awareness and stand up to Pancreatic Cancer, the family asks that you visit: https://www.npcf.us/ways-to-donate

Mrs. Thelma Vanessa Harris Sanders, 69 of York, SC went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 17, 2025. She was born September 22, 1955 to the late Lugenia Adams Harris and Jimmie Harris, and the youngest of four children.

She was a member of Mt. Zion AME Zion Church in Hickory Grove, SC. She worked in many departments in the church, serving in the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society, the Deaconess Board President, and Life Member Chairman. She loved to sing and showcased her talent with Mt. Zion Gospel Choir, Senior Choir, and Shape Note Choir.

Thelma was a God-fearing woman who loved her friends, church, and most of all her family. Thelma was a woman who loved the Bible. She was baptized at an early age at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Hopkins, SC. After getting introduced to a Bible study group (BSF) at a local church, in a short time she became a leader of her own Bible Study group within BSF. She was always encouraging the women of the church in women's Bible Study, which was fun and informative to those who attended.

Thelma was a 1973 graduate of Lower Richland High School in Hopkins, South Carolina. She later attended University of South Carolina and earned an Associate Degree in Retail Management. She had a career as a retail manager, insurance salesperson, and retired working in a career in Banking Finance after working for 25 years at Founders Federal Credit Union.

In addition to her parents, Thelma is preceded in death by her father-in-law, John Robert Sanders; and her sister, Gloria Harris. 

Surviving to cherish loving memories are her husband of 44 years John Maurice Sanders; her children, Jared Sanders of York, SC and Tyne Sanders (Colby) of Lyman, SC; One brother Cartha Harris (Vivian) and sister, Eleanor Harris of  Hopkins, SC; her mother-in-law, Marjorie “Baby Ray” Sanders; one aunt, Essie Brooks; two nieces, Stephanie Coulter (Patrick) and Monique Sanders; two nephews, Tyrell Harris (Zulema) and Bryan Sanders; One Brother in law, Tony Sanders (Sheryl) her special friends, Sonja Robinson (James), Carrie Washington (Chris), and Mary Neal (Harry). She also leaves five godchildren: Laporsha Lowry, Tiana Darby, Zyla Isom, ZyReagan Isom, and Zakari Isom; two great-nieces, two great-nephews, two great-great nephews, and one great-great niece. She had a host of other cousins and friends whom she loved dearly.

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