Nan Sanders

SANDERS, NAN 87, passed away Sept. 16th in Riverside, CA. Born Nan Elizabeth Davis on August 24, 1918 in Liberty, Missouri, she attended public schools and graduated from William Jewell College. Nan came to CA where she met her husband Roland. They moved to Menifee Valley in 1943 to operate The Karakul Sheep Fur Farm. While living out of the Valley area for several short periods of time, they had permanently settled in Perris by 1949. Roland and Nan owned and operated the Sanders Texaco and mechanic shop at 24 D Street; Perris for 25 years. Nan's civic activities were extensive, including: a Cub Scout Den Mother in the 40's; helped start a Perris Girl Scout Troop system in the 60's; PTA at both state and local levels; with John R. Harrison, started the Perris Panthers 4-H Club in 1952; served as a 4-H Leader for over 50 years; a Superintendent of many departments with the Farmer's Fair (Southern CA Fair) over a span of 52 years; a member of the Soroptimist International of Perris Valley; a member First Congregational Church; a state officer, CA Women for Agriculture; a founding member of the Perris Valley Human Relations Council, and was involved with numerous multicultural activities. Nan's major love in life was education of youth: beginning service as a School Board Member in 1952; serving on the Perris Elementary Board 45 years; Perris High School Board 10 years; the Nan Sanders Elementary School was named in her honor in 1985; was inducted into the Riverside County Education Hall of Fame in 1999; and was employed for 20 years by UC in the Expanded Food Nutrition Program where she incorporated both multicultural studies and nutrition into her daily outreach. An avid doll collector, with over 4,000 multicultural and international dolls, Nan was known as "the doll lady" at many of the elementary schools in the County as she brought displays of her dolls to teach about Agriculture and Nutrition around the world. This experience led to her lifelong goal of creating a permanent display of a portion of her dolls at the Southern California Fair. The display is intended to provide ongoing education of Agriculture and Multicultural Nutrition around the world. While it was not completed in time for the 2005 fair, it will be finalized by her family and friends through private contributions. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be sent to "Nan's Doll Fund" at the Southern California Fair; 18700 Lake Perris Drive; Perris, CA 92571, for ongoing education and agricultural programs. Nan was preceded in death by her husband Roland and daughter Doris Rolann. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Robert & June Sanders of Chiloquin, OR; her daughter and son-in-law Roxanna & Reed Smith of Modesto; and two grandchildren, Scott and Alexis. A public memorial service, followed by an informal "Celebration of Life" reception, will be held Saturday, October 29, 2005 at 2:00 PM in Harrison Hall at the Southern California Fairgrounds. EVANS-BROWN MORTUARIES (951) 679 - 1114