Annie E. Sanders

A time to be born: Annie Earl Sanders was born to Clyde Eddins and Sally Vick Eddins in a rural area east of the city of Pittsburgh, near the town of Greensburg Pa. She was number 7 of 8 brothers and sisters, of which only her younger sister Evelyn Mobley of Detroit, Mi. remain.

A time to live: Annie was a very basic person. She loved good food, but not fancy (make it hot and tasty; beef; chicken or fish and something green always). And don’t forget something sweet after the meal (had to have that sugar to balance the salt). She loved clothes that looked nice on her (they didn’t have to be expensive; which was good because she liked shopping and buying lots of them). She loved little babies and their chubby little legs (she wanted as many hugs as they would give). And most of all, she loved our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (especially comforting as her time of departure drew near). She was also very blessed to have been a cherished member of her beloved home church, First Baptist Church of Penn Hills. She was married to Charles C. Sanders in 1950 and had her only child, Charles Gary Sanders, in 1951 (lovingly nicknamed by her “Mr. Gary”).

Annie loved family: Although she only had one child; and no grandchildren, and never got remarried after her decade plus marriage to Mr. Sanders, the union of Charles and Rose Marie Sanders afterwards turned out to be a major blessing in her life as she formed many loving and caring relationships with her only son’s newfound siblings. In her last days she often dreamed of one final grand get together with all the Sanders bunch. Well, that dream will indeed come to pass in those final days when we will all come together in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Annie loved her friends: She didn’t have many, but the one’s she had truly delighted in her presence as she delighted in theirs. One such friendship that was epic was her friendship with Dorothy Watkins and her husband Robert. They were as thick as thieves (to coin a phrase). So strong was their bond that they “unofficially” adopted each other’s children. She became Cochise and Robbin’s Aunt Annie Earl and for her son “Mr. Gary” her friends became Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Robert; many times of great laughter throughout the years.

Annie was marvelously blessed: Annie, I believe, is a perfect example of how God’s eye is always on the sparrow! She never aspired to be a captain of industry, a leader of any group or to have any great position or notoriety in social circles. She never had any high paying jobs or other opportunities that brought any kind of great monetary gain and yet, she lived 89 years and had an abundant life. Some might say that she was blessed with a son who took great care of her; I say he was blessed by God to have been given the honor and the ability to take care of her. His eye is truly on the sparrow.

There’s so much more to say; so many stories to share, but now it’s time to let those of you who knew her best, share those stories with one another and with others who may not have known her as well. As you do, look for God in the details, He’s waiting to bless each and everyone of us.

A time to rest: Annie Earl Sanders finally went into the Love the casts out all fear; the Joy that passes all understanding, on January 4th 2020 at approximately 11:30pm. She went peacefully in the beautiful surroundings of Family Hospice on the 4th floor of Canterbury Place in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville section, in the care of the warm and gracious staff that minister there. She leaves behind her son, Charles Gary Sanders (aka “Mr. Gary”), her adoptive children, Gloria Potter, Mark Sanders, Chuck Sanders, Chandra Law, Charlene Bell, Darren Sanders, Stephanie Moss and their families; her sister, Evelyn Mobley and her family; her nieces and nephews, Linda Eddins West, Francis Eddins, Roger Eddins, Gaynell Burton, Audra Moore, Gaines “Sonny” Williams , Jerry Sanders and their families; adoptive niece and nephew, Robbin Hunt and Cochise Watkins and their families.

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