Miyako Sanders

Miki was born on March 28, 1945 to Matsuo & Tomeko Dokoh in Miyazaki, Japan, where she spent her childhood. Her family consisted of 5 boys, Tacao, Tadao, Yasushi & Takashi and 3 girls, Kyoko, Miki and Fumiko. She is survived by 2 sisters, Kyoko Willson, with whom she resided along with Jim, and Fumiko Natsui & her brother, Takashi Matsukawa (both in Japan).

Miki married Jerry Gramling in Sasebo, Japan & immigrated to the U.S. in 1966. In 1976 she met & married Cass Riley and together they owned & operated a bowling pro shop in Long Beach, CA for many years until his death. While visiting her sister Kyoko in Woodbridge Virginia, Miki met David Sanders and they married in 1988. They remained happily married until his death in 1997. During this time Miki worked in retail in women's clothing. Miki and her husband David became very close to her sister Kyoko & Jim until David's death. Miki's final resting place will be with David at Quantico National Cemetery.

Miki, Kyoko and Jim all retired at the same time and moved to Jacksonville, Florida. Here they spent the past 25 years enjoying their retirement by traveling, visiting Japan several times to spend time with her large family and also travelling to Iowa to spend time with Jim's large family.

Miki was a woman with a strong spirit, generous, happy-go-lucky with a huge heart. She endured a liver transplant in 1993 and in July 2022, she received a kidney transplant. Yet this gal never lost her sense of humor and she never ever complained. Everyone loved Miki and enjoyed her wit and spending time with her. Miki was an outstanding cook and the barbecue aficionado of the family. In addition to traveling, Miki loved to play the Pachinko & slot machines. Most of all, she loved her cats. Except for a short period of time, Miki always had a pet cat.

Miki studied hard & became a naturalized U.S. citizen in April 2006. She was also an active member of the SGI-USA Buddhist Society.  

Miki, your family, friends and neighbors miss you very very much and you will forever be remembered for your warmth, as the BBQ Queen, and as a HUGE lover of cats. We love you.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the Sanders family.