Leah Ann Sanders

Leah Ann Sanders

A Homegoing Celebration for Leah Ann “Memaw” Sanders 74, of Hallsville, will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2020, at 1 pm, at The Saving Grace Ministries formerly Tudor Street Gospel Mission in Paris, Tx, 901 N.W. 19th St., Paris, Tx., 75640, with Bro. Butch Redfern and Rev. Kathy Gillean officiating. All arrangements are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore. Leah Ann completed her earthly journey and went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 4, 2020, in her home surrounded by her family following a lengthy illness.

Leah Ann was born on January 21, 1946, in Dallas to William Reginald and Eula Mae Stocks. Marrying at a young age and having her children, she delayed her higher education. In 1983, she graduated from Texas Eastern School of Nursing with a Diploma of Nursing and was licensed as a Registered Nurse. Leah was employed with Mother Francis Medical Center in Tyler and worked in the ICU, ER and Cardiac Units. She left Mother Francis and went to work for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice System being a staff nurse for various prison units, director of nursing of the Billy Moore Unit in Overton and worked as nurse monitor for the TDCJ system overseeing the medical care and transfers of the offenders within the system. There were many times that she would go and visit various units and the offenders within those units had such respect for her that when she would enter the cell block, one of the offenders would yell out “Mrs. Sanders on the run” and she was never treated with anything but respect by the people for whom she cared within the prisons. Being a nurse was her calling and she provided beyond excellent patient care and continued being an advocate for patients until her health began to decline and she had to retire. Her family was the source of her strength and joy, especially her grand and great-grandchildren who called her Memaw, and spending time with them was when she was happiest. Always cooking for them, making the best fried fruit pies, cookies and chicken & dumplings. She greatly enjoyed attending their school and sporting events until her physical condition would not allow her to any longer. She also enjoyed fishing, riding motorcycles, working various kinds of puzzles and reading. Leah Ann accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age. She considered herself to be a “Bapticostal” and was a member of Gateway Baptist Church in Whitehouse, she later united with her family’s church Saving Grace Ministries formerly Tudor Street Gospel Mission in Paris. Her love for the Lord was instilled in her by her mother and was a constant throughout her life and she instilled it in her family. There will be an empty place in the hearts and lives of those who she touched in countless ways.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, William Scott Harris and his wife Tracy of Lindale, Jennifer Wright and her husband Stephen of Hallsville; grandchildren Canaan Wright of Hallsville, Leah Montandon of Lubbock, Logan Montandon and his life partner Shayna Furlong of Overton, Michael Montandon and his wife Bonnie of Longview, Dakoda Harris of Gun Barrell City, Jacob Harris of Chandler, Rumer Smith and her life partner Ryan Beaumont of Ingleside, Mary Harris and her life partner Oscar Barrera of Ft. Worth, Brandy Harris and her husband David of Whitehouse, Kenneth Harris of Garland, Skye Kennedy of Lindale; 18 great-grandchildren and “sisters” Kathy Gillean and her husband David, Lenita Gibbons and her husband Terry all of Paris. Also, left to carry on her legacy are numerous nieces, nephews, friends and other loving family members.

Leah Ann was met at the Heavenly gate by her mother and father, daughter Deena Renea Harris, son Leslie Scott Harris, brothers Michael Verbon Stocks and Kenneth Hoyt Stocks. As well as her second mother Katherine England Barnett and a “sister” Bobbie Joyce Bost.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Magnolia Hospice of Longview, especially Nakeisha Burkes, Laquitta Taylor, Heather Dean and Temeisha Norris for their loving and compassionate care for Leah Ann and the family during the final days of her earthly journey. Also, a huge thank you to Regency Integrated Health Services Longview Hill and Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore for allowing Jennifer and Stephen Wright the time off from their jobs to be with Leah Ann and their family during this difficult time. As well as all of the friends and other family members that have called, visited, messaged, provided food and have been right beside them with unwavering support during this time.

Memorials may be made in her name to The Saving Grace Ministries formerly Tudor Street Full Gospel Mission, 901 N.W. 19th St., Paris, Texas 75460 or to the charity of your choice.