Dorothy Mitchell Sanders, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 24, 2021. She was born on December 11, 1934 in Englewood, New Jersey to Charles and Vera Mitchell. As a child, her family moved to Miami, Florida where she grew up and graduated from Miami Sr. High School in 1952. After high school she attended Florida State University as a nursing student for three years where she met the love of her life Ronald “Ronnie” Eugene Sanders. Both were involved in the panhellenic community where she was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority and he the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. They married on April 10th, 1954 and were together for a blissful 67 years!
Dottie devoted her life’s work to helping and caring for others. Her career began at Baptist Hospital in the Business Office in 1961 where she met cardiologist Dr. James Strachan. Dr. Strachan admired Dottie’s work ethic so much that he hired her to be his medical office manager. In 1965 Dottie chose to stay home with her children, Brenda and Mike, until 1973 when she resumed being a medical office manager for general surgeon, Dr. Albert T. Fechtel until 1989.
Her love for others in the workplace was only surpassed by the love she demonstrated towards her family and friends. Over the years, she was a homemaker and an active member on the PTA boards at Greenfield Elementary School and Southside Jr. High School. In her spare time, she enjoyed hobbies such as crafting, sewing, playing Bunco and watching sports. She loved cheering for her Florida State Seminoles and the Atlanta Braves. She was a member of the Daughters of the Nile as she and Ronnie were both members of the Morocco Shrine Temple. She also dedicated much of her time to her church family by teaching Sunday school and cooking dinners for Englewood Baptist Church. In addition, she was a deacon's wife at San Souci Baptist Church where she sang in the choir. At Hogan Baptist Church, she worked often in the nursery so she could be near her grandchildren as well as the children of all her friends. She also loved her Hogan“VIB” buddies to whom she brought lots of laughter. Dottie and Ronnie joined Southpoint Baptist Church in 2004 where they were part of the “Prime Timers” and enjoyed many years of service and friendships.
Dottie LOVED being a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother especially during the holidays! Her names were Mom, Gran’ma, and her great grandsons knew her lovingly as GG. On Friday nights, all of her grandchildren looked forward to spending time with her. As her eldest grandson Joshua described it, “It’s like Disney World without the rides.”
We will remember Dottie as being funny, kind, gentle, and loving. She will be missed each and every day, but we are grateful to know she is living eternally in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She is survived by her beloved husband Ronald Eugene Sanders, daughter Brenda Umberger (George), son Michael Sanders (Valerie); grandchildren Joshua Umberger (Lisa), Adam Umberger (Sarah), Clinton Sanders, and Olivia Sanders; and great grandsons Noah and Jacob Umberger.
A memorial service will be held at Hardage Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home located at 4300 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32207 on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 11:00 am.
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