Ann Sanders

1934 - 2025

Ann Williams Patrick Sanders, 90, passed away on October 7, 2025 in Lilburn, Georgia.

Born on October 23, 1934, to the late John Blair Patrick, Jr. and Christine Williams Patrick, Ann lived in Columbia, South Carolina, for most of her life. She graduated from Dreher High School in 1952 and Erskine College in 1956 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Piano Performance. She met her beloved, Paul Rupard Sanders, Jr., on a blind date in 1955 and accompanied him just a few days later to his graduation ring dance at The Citadel. They were married on June 22, 1957, at Centennial Associate Reformed Presbyterian (A.R.P) Church in Columbia and celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary last summer.

Ann is survived by her husband, Paul Sanders, Jr. of Lilburn, GA; four children, David Sanders (Carol) of Suwanee, GA, Paul Sanders III (Maryam) of Smyrna, GA, Chris Sanders (Janita) of Covington, GA, and Elaine Gyure (David) of Yorktown, VA; eight grandchildren, Patrick Sanders (Sara) and Ryan Sanders (Katie), Wade and Colin Sanders, Jantilyn and Kaitlyn Sanders, Christine and Caroline Gyure; sister, Jane Brawley (Robert) of Durham, NC, and nieces and nephews. Ann was overjoyed last year to meet her first great-grandchild, Eleanor Sanders.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents and her toddler son, John Frederick Sanders, who was forever in her heart, now reunited in heaven.

A caring, devoted, and dedicated mother, daughter, and sister, Ann loved and treasured her family more than anything. Her favorite traditions were the annual family vacation to Holden Beach, NC, for nearly fifty years, Sunday dinners, holiday celebrations and family get-togethers, and watching Clemson football games. She also loved helping her grandchildren with family history projects, as together they learned about her ancestors and American colonist roots.

Ann held a deep appreciation for classical and sacred music throughout her life. She inspired a love of music in others through teaching piano lessons and holding recitals for nearly forty years, through her time as a preschool and public-school music teacher, and as a member of the Dutch Fork Music Teachers Association. A lifelong member of Centennial A.R.P. Church, she sang in the sanctuary choir and served on the staff as the handbell choir director for thirty years. She loved to attend her children's and grandchildren's band, choral, and piano concerts, and found great joy in regularly attending performances by the SC Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Spoleto Music Festival in Charleston. From her own childhood piano lessons to sharing her talents as a teacher and director, Ann filled her life and the lives of those around her with love and music.

Ann will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her and most especially by her family. A memorial service will be held at Buford Presbyterian Church, 1242 Buford Highway, Sugar Hill, GA on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 2:30 pm. Interment will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Columbia, SC at a later date. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made to the Music Endowment Fund at Centennial A.R.P. Church, 1413 Laurel St. Columbia, SC 29201.