Selma Leander Sanders

At the age of 89, on November 13, 2024 while surrounded by family, Selma Leander Sanders (neè Haynes) of Lansing, MI went home to be with her Lord. She is predeceased by her parents, Isaac Haynes and Lily Mae Haynes, (nèe Hall); her younger sister Barbara Jean and her nephew Isaac Blalock.

Born the first of three daughters and elder sister to Barbara Jean and Ikie Jean in Carson, Mississippi on June 6th 1935, she graduated from Alcorn State University with a degree in Business Education. She was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Debate team, business club, and the YWCA. After graduation, she went on to become a teacher in secondary education.

Draped in a one-of-a-kind gown of periwinkle blue, Selma married Willie John Sanders on May 25th, 1959 in Lansing, MI. Over the years, their union would be blessed with three daughters: Jacquelyn Benita (Davenport), Cheryl Anita (Newby), and Wanda Kay.

Selma loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For all of her life, she was a devout attendee of church services, missionary trips and intercessory prayer circles. She was a graduate of the Bible Training Institute of Lansing, MI and served alongside her husband as a trained Christian marriage counselor for over twenty years. Every day without fail, she prayed for God’s blessings and favor to shower upon her children’s lives.

Selma loved her family. For more than sixty-five years, she made her home a true haven for her husband, her children, her grandchildren: Bruce Aloysius (Davenport); Ashley Luetisha (Newby); Jasmine Alyssa (Garcia, neè Newby); Jessica Alaina (Newby); Brittany Alexandria (Davenport); Brianna Alyssa (Davenport) and for her great-grandchildren: Isaiah Nathaniel (Davenport); Micah Elisha (Davenport); Sofia-Jo Leander (Davenport); Lillianna Jai (Newby-Young); Serena Kai (Garcia) and Jayden Isaiah (Smith).

Selma loved her community. Throughout the years, she donated faithfully to several charities and volunteered hours of her time at her churches.

Selma was proficient in horticulture and cultivated beautiful, bountiful vegetable and flower gardens throughout most of her life. For decades she grew green beans, tomatoes, collard greens, peppers and cabbages. She loved receiving bouquets of fresh roses and lilies.

She had a vast collection of salt & pepper shakers gifted to her from states across the United States, and from countries all over the world.

Selma was an excellent cook and canner. Her green beans, sausage dressing, pepper-sauce, lemon soda pound cakes, caramel cakes, peanut brittle, banana pudding and cornbread were legendary and enjoyed by all who were fortunate enough to try them.

Selma is greatly loved and missed by her family and friends, who are comforted with the assurance that she has found eternal life, peace and joy with her Lord.

A private service to celebrate Selma's life has taken place.