Rev. Mary Sanders

Passed 03/28/2021

Obituary For Rev. Mary Sanders

Reverend (Pastor) Mary Lee Kennedy Sanders, daughter of the late Leroy Kennedy, Sr and Muriel Johnson Kennedy Chambers, was born on October 14, 1940.

On Sunday, March 28, 2021 at her home, the Heavens were opened. An angel descended in the form of a dove and opened the cage of our Mother, who had been bound with the cares of this world; for her earthly house had dissolved. Mother took her one-way flight to the city called Heaven; a place of eternal rest, a place of no more death, tears, sorrow or pain. Our beloved Mother heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest” and her answer was, “Yes Lord”.

Reverend Sanders attended Highland High School in Gastonia, North Carolina. In 1995, she received her GED at Gaston College in Dallas, North Carolina. She continued her education by attending Fuller Normal Industrial Institute’s School of Religion. She obtained a Bachelor Degree in Biblical Studies and graduated with honors. She retired from Chicago Rawhide, and later entered a new field of employment in home healthcare. It was her desire to assist others in their time of need.

She gave her life to the Lord at the age of 17 and loved the Lord with all her heart. She was a member of Mills Chapel Fire Baptized Holiness Church under the leadership of Pastor Minnie Chambers, where she served as Sunday School teacher and choir member. After her mother, the late Reverend Muriel Chambers, started an outreach ministry in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, she transferred her membership to St. James. This one room schoolhouse building was also well known as “The Powerhouse on the Hill”. After many years of serving in Kings Mountain, Pastor Chambers relocated the church to Gastonia, North Carolina. Upon Rev. Chambers retiring from Pastoral ministry in 1998, the pastoral mantel was passed on to Reverend Sanders, as she was appointed her first pastorate to Mountain View St. James. Continuing the legacy of dedicated leadership, Pastor Sanders took the ministry beyond the four walls, reaching out in the community with the love of God and the message of the gospel. During her time as Pastor, she started a “Street Ministry” as a voice crying out and compelling others to come to Christ. Pastor Sanders loved feeding and giving away clothing to the people of the Mountain View community. It was her heart’s desire to see men, women, boys and girls accept the Lord Jesus as their personal savior. She served faithfully as Pastor of Mountain View St. James for 12 years.

Rev. Sanders also served as Directress of Religious Education and District Evangelist on the South Western North Carolina District, under the leadership of Elder AJ Lindsay and Elder Troy E. Bethune, respectively.

She was married to the late Jimmy Sanders, who proceeded her in death in 2017. She was preceded in death by her siblings; Leroy Kennedy Jr., Betty Brown, James Kennedy, and Bobby Kennedy.

She leaves to cherish precious memories her children: two sons: Reverend Keith (Asree) Sanders, Charlotte, North Carolina; Pastor J. Trammell (Gloria) Sanders, Dallas, North Carolina; four daughters: Ms. Jemetha Carroll Denise Fleming, Minister Janice Derr of Gastonia, North Carolina; Reverend Jacqueline (Elder Allen) Wilson, Columbus, Ohio, Pastor Joycelyn Sanders of the home and a special great grandson: Rakeam Fleming; 14 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, a special niece Angela Costner, Gastonia, North Carolina and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Viewing at the funeral home on Wednesday from 3 until 7.

Graveside service at Armstrong Cemetery, Gastonia at 12 noon.

Horse driven carriage processional beginning at 11:45 a.m.

Masks are required at all services and funeral will be live on funeral home facebook page.

Download funeral program