Naomi B. Sanders, 94, went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 8. She passed away at her daughter’s residence, after a month-long illness. Naomi was a 1941 graduate of Smithville High School. She worked at Sarkes Tarzian, then, General Electric (GE), both located in Bloomington, Indiana. At GE, Naomi worked in the paint department. She was actively involved in Quality Improvement initiatives, and fiercely advocated for herself and her co-workers. After more than three decades in the workforce, Naomi retired from GE in 1988.
Naomi was a member of the Mt. Olive Church of Christ in Ellettsville, Indiana, where she had regularly attended with her dearly departed husband of 61 years, Harold, Sr. Since moving to Texas in 2009, with her daughter and grandchildren, she attended the Van Church of Christ in Van, Texas and Broad Street Church of Christ in Mineola, Texas. Naomi absolutely loved congregational singing, though, much to her frustration, her once-vibrant alto voice lost some of its vibrancy over the years. Naomi was a truly resilient woman, who loved and trusted in God. She faced many struggles and great losses over her long life-time, but never stopped loving and serving. Naomi played an integral part in foster parenting children in need and helping raise a large, diverse brood of grandchildren. She took special pride in her great-grandson, her step-great-grandchildren, and her granddaughter who bears her name. She also enjoyed caring for and spoiling her rescued cat, McTom.
Naomi relished sharing stories about growing up on a family farm during the Great Depression. During her summers in Owen County, she planted and tended a large garden with her dear Harold. She canned hundreds of vegetables and shared the fruits of her labor with everyone. When she was younger, Naomi prolifically produced quilts and crochet projects. In recent years, she made baby quilts for Healing Hands International’s Sewing for Jesus Ministry, serving impoverished children in developing countries.
Naomi is survived by one daughter, Lesa Marie Sanders; ten grandchildren, Starlina Adams, Allison Adams, Benjamin Adams, David Adams and Naomi Adams, all of Mineola, Texas, Jeff Sanders of Ellettsville, Indiana, Melissa Sanders Berry (Matthew) of Bloomington, Indiana, Annalesa Adams of Noblesville, Nathan Adams and Kyle Adams of Fishers, Indiana; one great-grandson, Nolan Berry of Bloomington; one step-granddaughter, Melanie Hayes (Derrek), two step-great-grandchildren, Piper Wells and Leo Jackson both of Tyler, Texas.
Naomi is preceded in death by her husband, Harold L. Sanders, Sr; three children, Harold L. Sanders, Jr., Delmar L. Sanders and Elizabeth “Betty” G. Pemberton; father, Delmar L. Wilson, mother, Bertha G. (Hazel) Wilson; two brothers, Robert Wilson and Wilton Wilson.
Services will be Thursday, July 13 at 6:00 pm at the Broad Street Church of Christ in Mineola, Texas. Indiana services will be on July 18, on what would have been her 95th birthday, at 2:00 pm at West, Parrish, and Pedigo Funeral Home in Spencer, Indiana. Graveside services will follow at Chambersville Cemetery in Ellettsville, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Naomi Sanders Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Broad Street Church of Christ, 800 West Broad Street, Mineola, Texas 75773.

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