Lula Mae Sanders

Lula Mae Neverls Sanders, born February 7, 1925 in Macon, Mississippi, was the ninth of eleven children ( Joe Robinson, Robert Henry Robinson, Lillie Hall, Gertrude Harper, Annie Marshall, Fannie Binion, Nathaniel Neverls, Currie Neverls, Laura Dent, and Betty Clark) born to Mr. Nathaniel and Mrs. Lillie Binion Neverls. Her parents and nine siblings preceded her in death. Lula accepted Christ at an early age in Mississippi and continued serving Christ in Missouri at Prospect Hill Baptist Church, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Richmond Heights, and lastly, First Baptist Church of Creve Coeur.

When Lula moved to St. Louis, Missouri as a young teen, her sister and brother-in-law, Lillie and Willie Hall, cared for her. The Hall’s daughter, Ruth, became not just a niece, but a “little sister” to her. Lula graduated from Sumner High School where she was captain of the girls’ softball team and played shortstop. Upon graduating from high school, she attended Stowe’s Teachers College. Lula married Allen Sanders. To that union, seven children were born: Allen (Susie) Sanders, Jr., Alice Faye (Johnnie) Pulley, Arlene (George) Holley, Cornelia Sanders, Richard Sanders, Robert Sanders, and Glenn (Amanda) Sanders.

Lula became a surrogate mother to many of her children’s friends offering them guidance and support, and Lula’s own children were happy to share her loving, giving, and kind spirit with their friends. Many will remember her lovely smile and optimism.

Lula became a wife, a homemaker, and then was employed by Stix, Baer, & Fuller after her children became of age. Lula served on the Lincoln School PTA (Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District), was the first secretary for the St. Louis County Branch of the NAACP, was a member of the PALS (Progressive Association Ladies Society) organization of Richmond Heights, and was an active member of the Pastor’s Aid and Baptist Training Union at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor James E. Fiddmont. She enjoyed watching Wrestling at the Chase, baseball, and basketball games on TV. She showed up to support her children in their many endeavors: her daughters’ orchestra concerts, her son’s choir concerts, church programs, and her sons’ football, baseball, track, and basketball games. Lula valued education; therefore, she proudly attended her children’s graduations from Kindergarten through
grad school.

Lula leaves to celebrate her life: her dear sister, Laura Dent; six children (Alice Faye Pulley preceded her in death); eight grandchildren... Johnna (Darrick) Bady, Amber (Carl) Melius, Robert Holley, Caitlyn(Steve) ??, Nathaniel Sanders, Asia Sanders, and Aries Sanders (grandsons Richard Sanders and Michael (Sabine) Sanders preceded her in death); nine great grandchildren...Simona Sanders, Shane Sanders, Jessica Bady, Christopher Bady, Quinton Holley, Malcolm Holley, Landon Melius, Ramsey Melius, and Tommie ??; and one great-great- grandchild, Ayden Morris. Additionally, there are a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that are left to celebrate her life.

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