Susan Askew Sanders, 1947-2016
Beloved wife and mother Susan Askew Sanders, 69, passed suddenly into the arms of Jesus on October 11, 2016 at her home in Wayne County, Tennessee. To her last breath, she died as she had lived, full of love and serving God and others.
Susan was married to Franklin Sanders for nearly 49 years, and gave life to seven children and through them fifteen grandchildren. Her husband and children were baffled when asked what she did. Everything is the only answer, and all with love. She was a mother and grandmother, secretary, bookkeeper, pray-er, chicken dresser, chef, seamstress, tractor driver, errand runner, plumber, electrician, encourager, comforter, planner of parties, and she never forgot a birthday. The love of God overflowed from her to all around her, stranger or kin. Every single day she figured out how to lay down her life for others.
Susan helped found Christ Our Hope Reformed Episcopal Church in Westpoint, and was busy in all the Church’s work, including the jail ministry. She never stopped working, she never stopped praying, she never stopped hoping, she never stopped believing. She was looking forward to “dancing with the angels.”
Susan Leavell Askew was born on April 12, 1947 in Tampa, Florida, where her father, Lee Hewlett Askew of Memphis, was stationed with the Army. Her mother, Amelia Leavell Askew, was also a native of Memphis, and Susan grew up there and graduated from Central High School in 1965.
On December 16, 1967 Susan married C. Franklin Sanders, Jr. of Memphis. She is survived by her seven children (and their spouses), Liberty Bain (Johnny) and Justin Sanders (Ellen) of Westpoint, Worth Sanders of Vail, Colorado, Wright Sanders (Jena) of Westpoint, Christian Sanders (Erica) of Florence, Alabama, Mercy Houseal (Trevor) of Memphis, and Zachariah Sanders (Victoria) of Westpoint. Her grandchildren include Liberty and Johnny’s sons Tucker, Bedford, Rook, and West; Justin and Ellen’s children Elijah, Andrew, Philip, Caroline, and Henry; Wright and Jena’s sons, Will, Jack, and Everett; Christian and Erica’s sons, Felix and Gus, and Zachariah and Victoria’s son, Arthur. All Susan’s siblings survive her: Lee and Mark Askew of Memphis, Pico Clauson of Minneapolis, John Askew of Orlando, Florida, and Amy Byrd of Nashville.
Visitation was at Neal Funeral Home in Lawrenceburg from 5:00 to 7:00 Friday, 14 October 2016. The funeral took place at Christ Our Hope on 15 October 2016. Memorials may be sent to Christ Our Hope Reformed Episcopal Church, PO Box 195, Westpoint, TN 38486, marked either for “Jail Ministry” or “Garden.”
The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
