How can one summarize someone as special as Sanders Marie Duke Etter in one paragraph? Sanders was so much more than a few words on a page. Sanders Etter (known to many as San, Sandi, Sam, and Aunt Sam), age 70 peacefully passed away from health complications on Friday May 21, 2021.

Sanders was a lover of the academics, she attended Mississippi University for Women and proceeded to graduate at Memphis State University with a Bachelor of Library Science.  Sanders enjoyed a career as a Librarian where she was able to expose others to her love of books and research. A glow came over her as children huddled together to hear an award-winning story or as she assisted a student in the search for a topic for their research paper.  In her spare time Sanders enjoyed curling up with a novel, traveling with friends, studying history, crocheting, quilting, watching movies, spending time with family, and contributing attention to her extensive doll collection.  Sanders loved Christmas due to the time to celebrate her faith and ability to spread joy.

Sanders loved to care for others and assist them with any need.  Sanders was a mother to Barbie Lowe married to Thad of Bartlett, TN; Toni Mitchell married to Steve of Brandon, MS; Courtney Etter married to Kim of Conyers, Ga; James Harrelson married to Maria of Brookhaven, GA; Bryan Duke of Southaven, MS; and Lauren Duke married to Jack Dou of Rochester, Minnesota.  Sanders was grandmother to Jodi and Tiffany Humphreys, Joseph and Nara Humphreys, Kyla Lowe, Nicole Mathews, Jacob Farnsworth, Russell Day, and Colena Day as well as great-grandmother to Zayden Wilson and Jason Humphreys. Sanders was sister to Sylvia Duke of Memphis, TN.  Sanders was a part of a special sisterhood of friends which included Rita Jones, Dorothy Hudson, and Johnnie Sue Harrison Rogers (cousin).  Sanders assessed friendship as a very important duty often stating it is a true privilege to be chosen by someone to be a friend, therefore must not be taken lightly.  Sanders shared her life with her amazing roommate and comforting companion, Baby.  Baby served as a protector and support animal for Sanders.

Sanders was preceded by her loving husband of 32 years, David Etter, her parents AV and Rudelle Duke, brother Adam Duke II, Aunt Edith and Uncle John C. Davis.

Special thanks to Barbie Lowe and Lynn Irwin for care and assistance at end of life.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 29, 2021 at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Yalobusha County.