Gertrude Sanders

 Gertrude Sanders was born January 2, 1944 to Mr. Sammy Towns and the late Ida Mae Grace (Crenshaw). She spent her childhood and school days in Sardis, Alabama living with her grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. John Hale.

At the age of 16, Gertrude moved to Bessemer, Alabama to live with her mother, Ida Mae Crenshaw and her step-father, Mr. Ed Crenshaw, both of whom have preceded her in death.

Gertrude accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour in her mid-teens and was baptized at New Bethlehem Baptist Church where she became a member. Starting in the 9th grade, she attended Dunbar High School and attended there until J.S. Abrams was built. Gertrude's class was the first to graduate from Abrams. She then went on to attend A.G. Gaston Business College, where she graduated with a degree in business.

On August 30, 1964, Gertrude married her childhood sweetheart, Mr. Joe Nathan Sanders, at the Jerusalem Baptist Church in Bessemer, Alabama. Soon after, she and her husband relocated to Brooklyn, New York. To this wonderful union was born Joe Anthony and Valerie Deneen.

While in New York, Gertrude was gainfully employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as an administrative assistant and later was employed by Columbia Records as a records administrator. After 32 years of working, she retired.

Starting in the late 1980s, Gertrude and Joe Nathan attended Bethel Gospel Tabernacle in Jamaica (NY) where they both served as ushers for 12 years. In 2007 they relocated to McDonough, Georgia and joined Eagles Landing First Baptist Church. Gertrude served in several capacities and became a member of the Legacy Fellowship Life Group, where she was well-known and loved dearly.

Gertrude was a devoted wife, a loving and caring mom . . . the best we could ever have, an awesome grandmother, auntie, sister, daughter, and friend. She was a very kind and giving person who loved to help anyone in need. She adored music, singing, and spending time with family and friends. Most of all, Gertrude loved the Lord.

Gertrude had four brothers and one sister who preceded her in death, Sammy Towns, Jr., Eddie Crenshaw (Linda), Arthur J. Crenshaw (Diane), Eddie Crenshaw (Voysteena), and Mary Ann Echols (Calvin).

Gertrude leaves to mourn and cherish her in memories a devoted husband of 53 years, Joe Nathan Sanders; a loving son, Joe Anthony Sanders (Mary) of Fresh Meadows, New York; a wonderful daughter, Valerie Deneen Moore (Darren) of Stockbridge, Georgia; five grandchildren, Tamisha, Matthew, and John Sanders, Brittney and Jaeden Moore; her devoted father, Sammy Towns and step-mother Eunice Towns of Sardis, Alabama; three brothers, Sonny Towns (Deborah) of Sardis, Alabama, Winfred Towns (Stacey) of Chester, Virginia, and Oscar F. Crenshaw-Lee (Leroy) of McDonough, Georgia; six in-laws, Veamon Sanders, Mary Louise McWaine, Evelyn Sanders, Doris Pleasant, Gloria Witherspoon, and Larry Sanders; her care giver and loving friend, Corren Phlets; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will receive friends from 5-7, Friday, November 10, 2017, at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home, Hwy 150 in Hoover. Funeral service will be 11:00, Saturday, November 11, 2017, in the funeral home chapel, Pastor Howard Greer officiating. Entombment will be in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South.