OLETA SANDERS

1926 - 2016

Oleta Barnes Sanders of Brawley passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, March 14, 2016 with her son Jackie at her bedside after a steady decline in health over the past year complicated by a series of age related ailments. She was 89 years old. Oleta was born on June 22, 1926 in Sasakwa, Oklahoma to Oscar and Ella Mae Barnes. After years of looking for employment during the depression, the family moved west to Arizona and eventually relocated to California, following the produce harvests from Imperial Valley to north of Sacramento. Oleta met James (Jim) Sanders while living in a farm labor camp. They were married on August 27, 1940 in Reno, Nevada. While Jim was serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Oleta worked in a tire factory to help with the war effort. After the War, they made their home in Brawley during the winter and followed the agricultural harvests during the summer. As a young mother, Oleta worked in the lettuce and carrot sheds and picked peaches in Modesto. While the children were growing, Oleta served as a Cub Scout Den Mother and a Home Room Mother at the Elementary School. Oleta was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served as a teacher to the young children and loved serving in the San Diego Temple. She devoted her life to the care of her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was always happiest when surrounded by little ones. She preceded in death by her husband, James Alford Sanders; her mother and father; brother, Leo; granddaughter, Heidi Sanders Urie. Oleta is survived by her sons and spouses, Jimmie and Sue of Brawley, Joey and Lisa of Brawley, Jackie of Brawley; daughter, Janet and husband, Steve Jack of Royal City, Washington; brother, Don (Jennifer) Barnes of Texas, sister, Bonnie Jean (David) Blackwood of Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Charlene Landsman of Sacramento; 23 grandchildren; 75 great- grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 25, 2016 at Frye Chapel and Mortuary at 6 to 8 p.m., family and friends are invited to attend the services. Services will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Brawley 490 West D St. Brawley at 10 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Riverview Cemetery after Service.