Mattie Ruth (Hayes) Sanders

May 19, 1924 ~ October 18, 2021 (age 97)

Mrs. Mattie Ruth Sanders of Dugdale Drive, South Bend, Indiana passed from this life on Monday, October 18, 2021 at 5:15 a.m., in Sanctuary of Holy Cross.

Mattie Ruth was born on May 19, 1924 in Tuscumbia, Alabama to William McKinley and Estella (Coleman) Hayes.  Coming from Tuscumbia, she moved to South Bend in 1934.  She attended Linden Elementary School and graduated from South Bend Central High School. 

 Mattie Ruth and James “Chip” Sanders were married in South Bend on March 16, 1948.  He passed away on March 2, 2001.

 Mrs. Sanders was a long-time member of Greater Saint John Missionary Baptist Church where she was active in Sunday School and sang in the Senior Choir.  She also was an active PTA member and a wonderful homemaker.

 Loving family members who survive include two daughters, Carolyn (Jeffrey) Gadlin of Compton, California and Joyce Sanders of Richardson, Texas; one son, Robert (Kimberly) Sanders of South Bend, Indiana; four grandchildren, Kelli (Judy) Sanders, Kendel Sanders, Stephani (Thomas) Hazlette and Morgan Sanders; two great-grandchildren, Daniel Sanders and Christian Sanders; nieces, Sheila (Melvin) Holmes, Ethel (Harold) Thompson, Audrey (Austin) Watham, Edith Finnell, Brenda (Anthony) Burke, Lorraine English and Dr. Eileen Hayes; and also a close friend, Betty Carter.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, William Mckinley and Estella Hayes; her husband, James “Chip” Sanders, one sister, Novella Flint; and two brothers, James Hayes and William Hayes.

10/23/2021 EJS (classmate of my mother, rest in peace Mattie)