Thelma Woods Sanders

Thelma Woods Sanders departed this earthly life on May 16, 2022.

Thelma was born July 12, 1960 in Baton Rouge, LA to the late Joyce Howard and the late Lindsey Stark.

Realizing this world was not her permanent home, Thelma made preparation for her eternal home by accepting Jesus Christ as her personal savior in her pre-teens at Rose of Sharon Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Isaiah Mitchell.

She graduated from Baker High School, and completed her undergraduate studies in Criminal Justice at USL (now the University of Louisiana Lafayette) in Lafayette, LA.

Thelma married the love of her life, Anthony (Tony) Sanders in 1983. Together they raised two wonderful sons and mourned the stillbirth of their beautiful daughter, Gabrielle.

She attended church in whatever city they lived. In Austin, she attended Mt. Sinai Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Anthony Mays.

Thelma loved tennis, golf, travel, and entertaining. She lived in numerous locations including Singapore. She was a catalyst of love wherever she went. Thelma was active in numerous social and civic activities over the years. She also enjoyed her work in the juvenile justice system.

Thelma was a loving, devoted wife to Tony for 39 years. She will be remembered as a nurturing, and dedicated mother to Brandon Sanders of Chicago, IL and Brian Sanders of Austin, TX. A tender, zealous sister to Johnnie C. Smith and Ralph Woods (Lisa) both of Baton Rouge, LA. Thelma was an adoring and gracious sister-in-law to Colleen McGary of Slidell, LA, BJ Kesire of Amite, LA, Mary Fields of Ponchatoula, LA, Jean Wise of Ft. Pierce, FL, Leo Sanders (Terry) of Baker, LA, and Samuel Sanders (Almetta) of Madisonville, LA. Aunt Thelma (Tee Tee to some) was loved by many nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly as will other relatives. She also leaves behind a host of loved friends from across the United States and from several countries.

She was preceded in her transition by her beloved daughter, Gabrielle; her parents, Joyce Howard and Lindsey Stark; mother and father-in-law, Samuel T. and Elnora A. Sanders; brother, Raymond S. Godfrey; and brothers-in-law, Robert Holiday and James E. Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that a contribution be made in her memory to The American Heart Association (heart.org) or a children's charity of your choice.

We will celebrate Thelma's life in Austin Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 11:00 am at Weed-Corley-Fish ~ Parkcrest, 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, Texas 78731 and in Louisiana on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 11:00am at Belfair Baptist Church, 4444 Fairfields Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 under the leadership of Pastor Jon Bennett.