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In Memory

Mary K. Davis (Sanders) - Class Of 1968 VIEW PROFILE

Mary K. Davis (Sanders)

MARY K. (DAVIS) SANDERS

Mary K. Sanders Oct. 4, 1949 - Aug. 2, 2015 SOUTH BEND - Mary K. Davis Sanders, PhD, was the third of nine children born to the union of Rev. Austin A. Davis and Rose E. Wheeler Davis in South Bend, Indiana, on October 4, 1949. With her devoted husband, two sisters and a brother at her bedside, Dr. Sanders entered into eternal rest on August 2, 2015, at DeKalb Medical Center in Decatur, Georgia, her body succumbing to the ravages of a long and complicated illness.

Dr. Sanders set the bar for education in her family. She attended public schools in South Bend, graduating from John Adams High School in 1968. She continued her education despite the tragic loss of her father in a fatal truck accident, graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from Indiana State University. It was there in 1974 that Dr. Sanders was initiated into the Zeta Nu chapter of her beloved Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Following college graduation on August 31, 1974, Dr. Sanders was united in holy matrimony to her college sweetheart and soul mate, Lee A. Sanders, Sr. This union produced one daughter, LeToya Sanders.

At the young age of 28, following the death of her mother, Mary and her husband lovingly took on the responsibility of raising her two younger brothers, Bradford and Darlies Davis, who were ages 11 and 12 respectively, and successfully guided them to adulthood. Dr. Sanders loved learning and researching. Following several years as a standout classroom teacher, she was elevated to administrative roles.

After living for several years in the Midwest including the Ohio cities of Cleveland, Dayton and Columbus, in 1992 the Sanders family relocated to Georgia. The thirst for higher education continued unquenched. Dr. Sanders earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration at Georgia's Kennesaw State University. She then in 2004 went on to reach the pinnacle of her educational pursuits, earning a doctorate in Management from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Sanders held administrative positions at Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) in the Atlanta area before retiring from GPC in June 2011.

After surviving cancer for over 20 years, a startling unrelated medical discovery was made in 2008 when some crisis level physical symptoms began. Labor Day weekend in 2008, Dr. Sanders was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent emergency surgery that lasted 12 hours. The undiagnosed, non-malignant tumor had been growing for some 15 years. Dr. Sanders wrote a pamphlet about the experience in hopes of reaching and encouraging others who might share similar health challenges. It was an amazing story that took the reader on her journey of accomplishments despite the misdiagnosed brain tumor. Instead of the tumor costing her life, Dr. Sanders again beat the odds and made a miraculous and rapid recovery. Six years later in 2014, the health challenges would return with a vengeance. Dr. Sanders, always private and proud, fought valiantly without complaint. Raised in the church, Dr. Sanders developed her own deep and personal relationship with the Lord.

She was a longtime member and sang in the choir at Antioch-Lithonia Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, until her illness prevented her participation. She was devoted to family and could always be found at family gatherings during the holidays and at graduations, weddings and even working on her sister's political campaigns. She gave back to her community volunteering for Literacy In Action, the DeKalb NAACP, and was active in and served in leadership roles for her beloved Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was a member of the Georgia Perimeter College Retirees Association and held the position of Treasurer. Dr. Sanders was a Gwinnett County Poll Officer, a member of the Georgia Perimeter College Retirees Association Book Club; a former member of Pride Rings in Stone Mountain (PRISM); and a former member of the Stone Mountain Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. Inc. Dr. Mary

Sanders was always fashionably dressed and she lit up the room with her ready smile and outgoing personality. She was a woman of God, grace and generosity a pillar of strength. While passionate about education and a voracious reader and researcher, she never found the definition of "I can't." Her life is a testimony to Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

In addition to Lee A. Sanders, Sr., her devoted husband of 40 years, Dr. Sanders is survived by one daughter, LeToya A. Sanders of Stone Mountain, GA; and a stepson, Lee Sanders, Jr. of Alpharetta, GA; two sisters, The Honorable Steen Miles of Decatur, GA, and Mae Hamilton of South Bend, IN. One brother, Austin A. Davis, Jr., preceded her to glory along with her parents. Surviving brothers include Richard A. Davis of Decatur, GA, Bruford Louis (Rae Sharon) Davis of Ft. Wayne, IN, Philip Davis of Atlanta, GA, Darlies Jeron (Anita) Davis of Hattiesburg, MS, and Bradford Anthony (Renae) Davis of Stone Mountain, GA. A step-grandson, Tion (Sosina) Sanders of Stone Mountain, GA; four sisters-in-law, Essie Comer and Barbara Jones of Indianapolis, IN, Janice (James) Williams and Linda Sanders of Vicksburg, MS. Three brothers-in-law, Henry Jones and Edward (Josephine) Jones of Gary, IN, and Percy (Martae) Sanders of Detroit, MI; three favorite aunts, Lovie Wheeler Brown of Collins, MS, and Elizabeth Sanders of Vicksburg, MS, and Mary Cherry of South Bend. She leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends to cherish her memory.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Aug. 12, 2015.
12/20/2022 EJS



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