Dorothy Sanders

January 30, 1935 - December 24, 2020

Dorothy Sanders, 85, departed this life on Thursday, December 24, 2020, at home surrounded by her family after a short decline in health. She was a longtime resident of Upper Deerfield and Bridgeton, NJ. Mrs. Sanders was born on January 30, 1935, in Danburg, Georgia. She was the eldest child of Nell Camellia Anthony Jones and the only child of Gordon Bradley. She moved to New Jersey in 1947. Dorothy married her beloved husband Reverend Nathanial Sanders Sr. on December 17, 1960. Mrs. Sanders had a beautiful spirit and a kind heart. “Miss Dot”, as she was affectionately known, spent her life opening her heart, hands, and home to many individuals. She was particularly invested in helping young people achieve their dreams. She loved to teach and learn from others. She enjoyed reading books, especially the Bible, and was known to quiz everyone on their biblical knowledge. She would pray with you, for you, and over you. She loved to talk about God’s word and the need to seek heaven as your final home. Mrs. Sanders enjoyed shopping and was known for her stylish dresses, beautiful jewelry, and impeccable manners. Mrs. Sanders was a teacher who was a lifelong advocate for education in under-resourced communities. For several years, she worked as a teacher’s aide and secretary for the Adult Education Center at Woodruff Church. In 1969, Dorothy and her oldest son Albert enrolled together at Cumberland County College, where she obtained an associate’s degree in education. She worked as the Assistant to the Director of the Educational Opportunity Fund at Cumberland County College while attending classes at night. Mrs. Sanders also taught at Farm Workers Incorporated of New Jersey during that time. In 1971, she enrolled at Glassboro State College before transferring to Shaw University, a historically black college in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she ultimately achieved a bachelor’s of arts degree in education. She went on to obtain certifications from Glassboro State College for reading and teaching educationally disadvantaged students. She taught K-12, basic skills and computer programming in the Bridgeton School System from 1973 until 2002, when she retired. She continued to teach night school programs at Bridgeton High School and Cumberland Regional High School until 2006. Mrs. Sanders believed that everyone could achieve their dreams if they had access to knowledge and support from caring individuals. Mrs. Sanders was a member of several organizations, including the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the New Jersey Realty Association, the National Association for Female Executives Inc., the National Educational Association (NEA), New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), New Jersey Alliance of Black School Educators. She assisted the New Jersey Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in supporting youth offenders. She also volunteered as a counselor in the Cumberland County Probation Department and was a Peer Mediation Program leader, a substance abuse initiative coordinator, and a Kids Corner Club leader. Mrs. Sanders received many recognitions over her lifetime including the Bethany Baptist Association’s “Ladies of Honor”. Mrs. Sanders began her Christian life at New Ford Baptist Church in Danburg, Georgia. She became a member of Union Baptist Temple in 1947 and a member of New Hope Baptist Church in 1960. Mother Sanders became the first lady of Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church in 1983. She was also an active member of the Ebenezer Baptist Union. Mrs. Sanders leaves behind a legacy of love for her beloved husband Reverend Nathaniel Sanders Sr., and five children, Albert (Priscilla) Jones of Gouldtown, New Jersey; Starlene (Willie Joe) Holland of Bridgeton, New Jersey; Nathaniel Sanders Jr of Millville, New Jersey; Patricia (Jeffrey) Harris of Upper Deerfield, New Jersey; and Emmanuel Sanders (Amanda Tartaglia) of Rosenhayn, NJ. She also leaves twelve grandchildren - Wesley (Crisselle Williams) Bowleg, Albert Jones Jr, Angelica (Shandon) Willey, Whitley Harris, David Jones, Priscilla (Colin Russell) Jones, Dashawn Sanders, Daijah Sanders, Emmani Sanders, Shawn McNair, Amaray Phillips, and Azaiah Phillips. Eight Great-Grandchildren - Sevhon (Lisa Smith) Jones, Wesley Bowleg, Jr., Siani Bowleg, D’Jiyon (Gabrielle Friedman) Jones, Jalon Jones, Brittany McNair, Sumaiyah Akran and Caleb Willey. Three siblings - Christine Hallman of Salem, New Jersey; Marion Jones; and Larry Jones of Cedarville,New Jersey. A Brother- in -Law (Willie Moses (Alice) Sanders of Macon, Georgia and several sisters-in-law Mary Alice Bell of Atlanta, Georgia; Mary Lue Sanders of Fairfield, New Jersey; Francis Williams and Helen Huckoby of Deerfield, NJ, Pearl Sanders and Katie Larkins of Macon, Georgia. One Aunt, Playdis Bradley of Florida and three Godchildren; Rance Crowley of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Taneisha Jones of Millville, New Jersey, and Ernest White-Bard of Vineland, New Jersey. Mrs. Sanders also leaves to cherish her memory her cousins Marion (Terry) Kennedy, Larry Bradley, Renee Lewis and Francis (Sam) Hatcher. Special friends Dora Mae Conway and Willa Mae Pernell along with a host of well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Sanders was preceded in death by her stepfather, Thomas Jones (1986), her youngest brother, John Fitzgerald Jones (1999), her eldest granddaughter, Katina Marie Jones (2015), and several in-laws. In her last weeks, Mrs. Sanders was lovingly attended to by the special nurses at Inspira Vineland 2E where her granddaughter, Priscilla, works as a RN, BSN. When Mrs. Sanders was brought home on hospice, on Thanksgiving, she was lovingly attended to by her daughters with special assistance from her niece, Tammy Lynn Sanders, and loyal church member and friend, Louise Bessey. The family will hold a memorial service to celebrate Dorothy’s life on Saturday, January 2, 2021, at the ALMS Center located across from Union Baptist Temple on the corners of Pine and Willow Streets in Bridgeton, NJ. The viewing will take place from 9 am-11 am. The funeral service will follow at 11 am with Reverend James Goolsby eulogizing. Internment will be at Gouldtown Cemetery immediately following the funeral. Due to Covid-19, the family has declined a repast. The family would like to thank everyone for their kindness during this time, your prayers, thoughts, cards and flowers are very appreciated.