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Mrs. Mildred "Millie" Rowe Sanders
1920 - 2011
Mrs. Mildred "Millie" Rowe Sanders
1920 - 2011
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1920
DIED
2011
Mildred "Millie" Sanders Obituary
Funeral Services for Mrs. Mildred "Millie" Rowe Sanders, age 91 of Cullman, will be Sunday, December 18, at 2:00 p.m. in the Moss-Service Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Mitchell Williams officiating. Interment will follow at Cullman City Cemetery.
Moss-Service Funeral Home of Cullman directing.
Mrs. Sanders passed away Friday, December 16, 2011 at Hanceville Nursing Home. She was born in Athens on April 16, 1920 to George Rowe, Sr. and Bertha Garner Rowe.
"Millie " as she was affectionately known, was a longtime member of Cullman First United Methodist Church. Prior to her retirement, she worked as a school teacher for approximately 25 years at both West and East Elementary Schools in Cullman. She was very active in many organizations, some of which were The Retired Teachers Association; the Cullman Historical Society, the Cullman County Democrat Women's Association; and had worked in her early years for the very important "New Deal" project, and was a devoted Mother and Grandmother. Mrs. Sanders is preceded in death by her parents, and one sister, Doris R. Hacker.
Survivors include two 2 – Daughters – Mildred Elizabeth (Richard) Sanders-Bensel of Ithaca, NY; and Mary Joyce Sanders of Castlemaine, Australia; two 2 – Sons – Joseph E. (Jeanne) Sanders of Ft. Collins, CO and Richard Sanders of Cullman; four 4 – Grandchildren – Sarah (Andrew) Huntington; Seth J. Bensel; Jessica W. Mack and Zoe Sanders; two 2 – Great-Grandchildren – Elizabeth "Ellie" Huntington and Victoria "Torie" Huntington; one Sister – Glenn Sanderson; and one Brother – George (Joyce) Rowe, Jr. ; and Numerous Nieces and Nephews.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home for visitation on Saturday, December 17, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
You may also sign the guest book on-line at www.mossservicefh.com .
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Richard Sanders
January 13, 2012
"I think I was the most blessed of Millie's kids, getting to spend more time together with her when others couldn't. As "the baby," I got more one-on-one Millie-time when others went off before I did to school,college, careers, starting family lives of their own, etc. For those who couldn't be with her much lately, I feel you should know that, until the end, she remained consistently true to her lifelong character traits, such as her gentle kindness, wonderfully unfailing positive
attitude, delightfully cheery humor & wit, patience, and the most absolutely uncomplaining disposition I have ever known.
Even in her very difficult last weeks, I felt I could, and did, continue "learning more lessons" from her about how to live a better life, be more forgiving, patient, and understanding of others, etc., by following her examples. I repeatedly pledged to seek guidance in future decision-making by channeling/communing with her beautiful Soul and spirit, & asking "what would Millie do?" I think each of us who were blessed enough to have known her, can similarly benefit and improve ourselves if we will keep memories of Millie prominent in our minds, hearts, and Souls. I know I'd be totally lost without her inspiration.
You're the very Best person I've ever known, and after 4 weeks, I still miss You terribly. I will always Love You with all my heart,my Partner and Best Friend ...
Thank You So Much for putting-up with me these 61 yrs., my Darling Mother.
God's abundant Blessings to You now, Momma, eternally ...
- Your loving son, Richard
January 13, 2012
Richard Sanders
January 13, 2012
Richard Sanders
January 13, 2012
John Hawke
January 13, 2012
I'm remembering how much I enjoyed an
evening dinner party visit with Millie & the Bensels in Brooklyn. Millie lit up the kitchen working and talking non-stop and yes Seth she may even have thrown in an alibi or two as well.
Let the "Healing Hands of Time" comfort us all in our loss of a great Southern woman.
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Charlotte Hawke
January 13, 2012
A candle seems such a fitting symbol for Millie and her life! She brightened any corner wherever she was.
As Jeanne Sanders' matron of honor, I stayed in Millie's home and became enchanted with the lady. Warm, consummate storyteller, and fantastic cook!
Several years and visits to Alabama later, I received a gift from Millie- the Auburn County Extension's cookbook! It is my favorite, and has been a saving grace many a time. I think of her every time I see the thumb-worn book on the shelf. Imagine all the lives she has graced and positively affected over her years!
A truly exceptional woman.
With love to you all,
Charlotte
Millie and Elizabeth finding shells at Gulf Shores
January 10, 2012
Mimi, Elizabeth, & Seth in Brooklyn, NY
Seth Bensel
January 9, 2012
Mimi, Seth, & Linda Bensel in Palo Alto, CA
Seth Bensel
January 9, 2012
Mimi & Seth (1 yr old) in Palo Alto, CA
Seth Bensel
January 9, 2012
Seth Bensel
January 9, 2012
One couldn't ask for a more perfect grandmother. Equal parts teacher, confidant, chaperone, and alibi witness, Mimi was always there for me when I was growing up. One of the most purely good people I have ever known, it was a blessing to have her in my life.
Elizabeth Sanders
January 7, 2012
My mother was by far the strongest positive influence on my life and values. And how fortunate we were that she came to live with us when our son Seth was born, and to impart those values, and all that emotional support and curiosity to her grandson. She was so loving, so unselfish, so intent on helping others, and on embracing a world she was sure was full of wonders and possibilities.
I am desolate to lose her.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Sanders
January 5, 2012
Celebrating the Life of Millie Sanders
Mildred Rowe Sanders (Millie to her siblings and friends, Mimi to her four grand children), led a remarkable life and touched thousands. She grew up in Limestone County on the farm of her parents, George and Bertha Rowe. She loved helping her parents with the farm work, but also absorbed from these two farmer-school teachers a love of learning and education, and of politics. From her male cousins came her passion for baseball. The eight Sims boys needed a ninth for their team, and Millie eagerly joined. Well into her seventies she played baseball with her grandson Seth and his parents in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. She was a superb pitcher and an amazing batter.
Millie graduated high school at the age of 16, and graduated from Athens College (where she worked in the dining hall to defray tuition), at the age of 19. Upon graduation in 1939 she went to work as a home economist with the Farm Security Administration, one of the most notable of New Deal programs.
The FHA bought up land and sold it on long term, low interest loans to tenant farmers and sharecroppers, enabling them to become farm owners. Millie worked mainly with women and girls, teaching them how to use pressure cookers to can food that they grew, to make mattresses out of surplus cotton, to manage home gardens, and all manner of things that improved their lives. She loved to recount how her Farm Security “clients” would welcome her, shouting “Here comes Miss Rosey!” when she drove up in her little Plymouth, its trunk full of cotton and ticking and canning jars. Millie met her husband, also an employee of the FSA, through her father. George Rowe loved to attend cattle shows, and there met Joseph Sanders, who was showing his clients how to buy a good mule, cow, and horse. George invited Joe home for lunch, and told him of his daughter who worked for FSA in a neighboring county. Millie and Joe fell in love and married shortly before Pearl Harbor. During the war, Millie lived on her parents' farm and taught school.
After the war, they moved to Cullman where Mildred raised four children and taught for 30 years in Cullman schools (Holy Pond, West Elementary, and East Elementary, where she taught third grade. She worked for her master's degree in summers at Auburn.
Millie traveled widely—to visit her older daughter (Elizabeth) who was in the Peace Corps in Chile, and her younger daughter (Joyce) who emigrated to Australia. Millie went down to help after the births of her granddaughters Jessica and Zoe. She joined her son Joseph and his wife Jeanne and daughter Sarah, Joyce and her two daughters to drive across Australia in a VW van while Joseph was working in Perth.
In 1980 Millie retired from teaching to live with Elizabeth and her husband Richard and take care of her grandson Seth in Houston, then in Washington, D.C, Madison, WI, Brooklyn, NY, and Ithaca, NY. Life with his grandmother was a loving 12-year adventure for Seth. In her last decade, Millie lived in Cullman with her youngest son Richard who became her devoted caretaker after he retired.
Millie inspired her children with a love of teaching, public service and political reform. She had a keen wit, and loved to tell political jokes (which her daughter Elizabeth remembers fondly and passes on to her students). Millie adored her fellow teachers and friends and was a devoted Methodist and youth leader. She was, in short, an amazing, loving woman, with arms outstretched to the world.
Written by her daughter Elizabeth, December 16, 2011
Sarah Huntington
December 22, 2011
She made all our lives better. To echo Zoe, my goal is to be half as good as she was. Always kind; always cheerful; it was just wonderful to be near her.
Zoe Sanders
December 18, 2011
To show even half the passion, warmth, grace and courage she did, would be doing pretty well. A wonderful grandmother, a wonderful person. With love, always, Zoe.
Greg Rowe
December 18, 2011
Richard, you and all of your family have our deepest sympathy for your loss. Millie will truly be missed. Beth just notified me today. I am so so sorry we could not be there for you......Greg & Donna Rowe
Beth Rowe
December 18, 2011
I just returned from a trip and heard the news of Cousin Millie's passing. My father, Charles Rowe, always had a special place in his heart for his sweet cousin and I am so glad I got to know her well over the years. I wish I could have been with you today at the funeral, but please know that I am with you in spirit all the way from Germany. Special hugs to all you.
Joyce Sanders
December 18, 2011
So great a debt to Millie
Our mother's idea of a family outing was to pack four kids into the station wagon and drive the countryside looking for the ruins of antebellum mansions, complete with stories in which ghosts may or may not have figured prominently. We can blame her for our life-long passion for history, not to mention the fact that one of us lives in a 200-year-old mill and another in a 150 year old bank.
She had a passion for gardens and left us as environmentalists, fighting constant battles for nature in our different corners of the earth.
Despite our dad being a Nixon supporter, Millie raised money for the Kennedy campaign by hosting Koffees-for-Kennedy in our home, and left us with a life-long passion for politics left of centre which belied her upbringing in the deep South.
Where did that rebel spirit come from? Her children have talked about that gene she passed down to them that won't let them sit back or let go of a cause or campaign, no matter how tired or alone they might be in it, as long as they think it is right. She was passionate about her own ancestral line, the strength and integrity of her mom and dad, her grandparents, and the long line of Rowe Methodists, and she set off for Scotland by herself to see how they fitted into the old country.
It is sad that Millie has missed this coming Christmas: she was famous for her Christmas celebrations. Each year she stayed up most of the night putting together toys for 4 children and arranging them carefully for best initial view when the children entered the living room. But she was up again at dawn to watch them find their toys, then as they played she began one of her famous Christmas breakfasts. When I tell friends what she cooked, they just stare at me in disbelief: oyster stew and cheese soufflé! Then she was straight onto the main meal of turkey and all the trimmings.
The cooking gene mightn't have been passed on to all her children: Millie was famous for her German chocolate cake, her dill bread and hundreds of other unique recipes, but she cooked so perfectly, that at least one of her daughters tended to stand back in awe and went off to university not knowing how to fry an egg!
As a parent and grandmother, she set an example that will be hard to follow. To whatever parts of the world her children traveled, she would set out on supportive visits, even when it meant 30-hour flights. When one daughter went with the Peace Corps to Chile , she packed her bags and went. When each of her Australian granddaughters was born, she arrived to take on the role of rocking and soothing the newborn.
We all have a lot to live up to.
Ruth Sanderson Noel
December 18, 2011
I can not say had saddened I am to hear of Aunt Millie's passing. She was one of the most gentile and gracious women I have ever known. I have such fond memories of visiting Cullman and playing in that kid friendly basement, or going to the lake and trying to keep up with my older cousins. No matter where we were, Aunt Millie always made sure that we "little ones" were well taken care of.
When I went through my bout with cancer, Aunt Millie was the one calling with concern that I was OK. She was so worried that I would have as hard of a time as she had. But I did not, I know because of the trials that she went through. Her trailblasing made my treatment so much easier.
Aunt Millie will be greatly missed by all who knew her. The world shines a little dimer today because she is gone from us.
I already miss you, Aunt Millie.
Erwin & Ewa Wegner
December 17, 2011
Dear Sanders Family
Please accept our sincere condolence from Canberra, Australia. You are in our prayers.
Jeanne Sanders
December 17, 2011
Love you and miss you, Millie-Jeanne
Jeanne Sanders
December 17, 2011
Jeanne Sanders
December 17, 2011
Jeanne Sanders
December 17, 2011
Joseph Sanders
December 17, 2011
Thank you for everything, Mom.
Will always love you,
Joseph
Mildred Rowe Sanders
Jessica Mack
December 17, 2011
Spending time with one of her Australian granddaughters in Ithaca New York.
Jessica Mack
December 17, 2011
Christmas in Colorado with her Australian family.
Jessica Sanders Mack
December 17, 2011
Jessica Sanders Mack
December 17, 2011
How do I possibly write anything that fully expresses how much Millie meant to me. She is the only grandparent I have ever known, and I loved her dearly. She was precious. In my eyes she was always quiet and sweet but also so courageous, such a remarkable woman.
Often she would tell me stories from her childhood. One in particular always stuck in my memory, about how as a young girl she would ride bare-back to the store for soap and get in trouble because it would be mashed into the horses mane by the time she got home. She would tell stories about cotton fields and how excited they were to get electricity installed in their home when she was young. I was always enchanted by accounts of her life and wished I could have captured them all somehow.
Contrast those experiences with her flying to the other side of the world to help my mother when my baby sister was born, or wrangling my three-year old cousin and myself through the streets of New York (before it was cleaned up). There didn't seem to me to be anything she couldn't do. In particular it didn't seem that there was anything she wouldn't do for her family. To have seen so much change in her lifetime is remarkable in itself, but it was inspiring to see how she always seemed to accept the passing of time with such grace.
Millie will always be in my memory. The loving grandmother who read to me as a child, who took me for walks. I will keep images of her sitting, doing her crossword puzzles, drinking her morning coffee, or hemming something with her perfect stitching. I will remember the little things that made her who she was, as well as the quiet greatness.
Her loving granddaughter Jessica.
Terri Loving
December 17, 2011
Richard, I am so sorry to hear about your Mother. You and your family are in my prayers.
Terri Loving
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1901 2nd Ave North West, Cullman, AL 35055-5827
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