Mrs. Madeline Carroll Sanders, 78, of Woodbury, Tennessee passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2024. She was born to the late Amos Paschal and Pearlee Fairbanks Richey in Knoxville, Tennessee on Sunday, October 14, 1945.
She is survived by her husband, George Roland Sanders of Woodbury; children, Teresa (Jim) Stluka, Carol Sanders Willis, and Roland “Jason” (Kim Lewis) Sanders; half-siblings, Debbie Richey, Janice Giles, Joann Cagle, and Bobby Richey; grandchildren, Dustin (Amanda) Stluka, Brittany (Brandon) Lassiter, Matthew (Ginny) Stluka, Brandon (Rachel Williams) Basham, Kelsie Willis, Andrea Willis, and Collin Sanders; 6 great grandchildren, companion and protector, her Chiweenie, Rocky Roland; and several close friends.
Life never dealt Madeline the easiest cards, but she faced challenges and difficulties head-on because she knew whose hand she was holding. Raised by her grandparents, they did all they could to set Madeline up for life by teaching her how to fend for herself. Many of those lessons were taught during cherished camping trips, where she would bait her own hook and cast a line.
Growing up in a suburb of Knoxville, a town called Vestal, Madeline attended Young High School until she reached 11th grade. Like many in her generation, school was a privilege, not a guarantee. What was guaranteed was the need to work and help at home, and Madeline blessed her family in those areas.
That knack and her beauty got noticed by a young man named Roland, whose stepfather happened to work at the same steel plant in Michigan as her father. Somehow, the two men got their children connected, and the couple discovered they had more in common than they realized. In fact, they were born in the same city and in the same hospital.
Roland used that information to kid Madeline and tell her that she saw his name on the birth registry and came to Michigan to get him. The humor and understanding of blended families that each of them had drew them closer together, and they decided to get married and start a family of their own.
With three young ones in tow, the Sanders family moved to Cannon County on Labor Day weekend of 1974. After a couple of years living in Bradyville, they decided to move on in to the big city of Woodbury, and on Labor Day weekend of 1976, they established their forever home, where they would finish raising their children and eventually welcome their grandchildren into the world.
Madeline took great pleasure in sharing the joys of her childhood, taking her children camping and fishing. She passed on her grit and determination in life through her “cowboy shows” and contagious humor. A lover of music, Madeline would change the lyrics of songs and create silly renditions to keep her family smiling and laughing.
Her mothering heart made her a good listener and attentive to her children’s needs and problems. However, her background in life helped her give some creative advice at times. She wanted to raise her children to be strong and able to be independent from everyone but God. Roland and Madeline affirmed their faith and replenished their spirits at the Woodbury Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses but walked daily with Jesus.
Finding God throughout creation, Madeline marveled at the simple things in life. She enjoyed watching birds and quickly became fascinated by hummingbirds. It pleased her each spring to see her red tulips emerge from the flower beds in the front yard. There never was a problem too big for a drive and talk with Jesus to fix as she surveyed God’s handiwork.
When the grandchildren came along, Madeline had renewed vigor as a grandmother. The adoration of a child for his or her grandmother was evident in each of their relationships. She wanted better for her children and the best for her grandchildren. Aside from her family, the only other one to weasel his way into her heart was her trusty companion, Rocky, the Chiweenie.
Through it all, Madeline kept that same mothering spirit. Even though the kids were grown, Madeline made sure no one wanted anything they needed. One of her most common sayings was, “Go in the kitchen and get you one of them sandwiches,” but it wasn’t the fridge being stocked that kept people coming back. Madeline kept the air filled with laughter, her voice filled with care, and her heart filled with love.
The family will hold private services at a later date.
Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story