Inez Lucille Sanders, wife of James Russell Sanders, passed away quietly on December 18, 2021 at The Neighborhoods at Quail Creek in Springfield, Missouri. She was 90 years old.
Lucille was born on September 30, 1931 in Thornfield, Missouri to Ora and Neal Humbyrd. She met Russell in fourth grade, and they married on September 17, 1949 after graduating from high school in Ava, Missouri. They lived several places in the area until moving to Ozark, where Russell answered a calling to become a pastor; they later moved to Springfield, where they made their permanent home. Lucille was always actively involved in her church, and served alongside Russell until his retirement from the clergy. She was also an avid seamstress and quilter, and lovingly produced quilts for charities as well as her family for many years. Lucille loved to garden, and spent hours working in her flowerbeds. She was also known as the family historian, and made sure all the family memories were preserved in photo albums and scrapbooks. She and Russell were fans of the Lady Bears and went to many of their games over the years; they also loved going to Branson to see the music shows and never passed up an opportunity to go to Silver Dollar City.
Lucille is survived by her husband, Russell; her three children – Sherri DeVries, Jerry Sanders, and Jeanne James; seven grandchildren – Jessica Miller, Amanda Garvey, Jacob Sanders, Tyler James, Abi O’Quinn, Kelsey Tucker, and Madi Lewis; twelve great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter.
Services will be held on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, 3540 East Seminole Street in Springfield; visitation will be at 11:00 am, followed by the funeral service at noon. Graveside service will take place immediately following at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens, 4500 South Lone Pine in Springfield. Cards and condolences can be sent to Russell Sanders at Spring Ridge Senior Living, 2828 S. Meadowbrook Ave, Springfield, MO 65807.
The service for Lucille will be live streamed on Zoom. The meeting ID: 899 5124 4670 Passcode: 073892
Out of respect for the family, please turn off the audio and video on your electronic devices.