Jewel Burns Sanders

Jewel was born on May 16, 1936 to Evie Estelle and Alva Alan Craig. She went home to be with her Lord on January 26, 2026. She graduated from Shafter High School in 1954 and married Bobby Lee Burns September 18, 1955. They enjoyed 43 wonderful years together. She went to work for Pacific Bell as an operator and went on to become a highly respected supervisor in the business department until her retirement. She later met and married William Lee Sanders. They married on March 16, 2002 and they enjoyed 12 wonderful years together.

She was preceded in death by husbands Bob Burns and Bill Sanders and grandson Christopher Lakin. She is survived by daughters Pamela Lakin and Carrie Barter Smith, son-in-law Craig Barter. She is survived by grandchildren Brianna Lakin, Joel Barter, Justin and Lacey Lakin, Taylor Wilcox, and Randy and Rose Wilcox. She had 10 great grandchildren Tristan LaMond, Brixton Ennis, Joella Barter, Gabriel Barter, Cheyanne Barter, Grace Barter, Maddison Lakin, Henley Lakin, Bailey Lakin, and Nathaniel Lakin. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she remained close to all of her life.

Mom enjoyed bowling and often watched friends bowl when she was no longer able. She loved traveling with dad and life-long friends Larry and Linda Sidebottom and Marion and Shirley Collins. She could often be found at the Crystal Palace on Friday and Saturday nights with friends Vicki Robison and Sharon Phillips, better known as "The Golden Girls. She enjoyed teaching the two step to the younger generation including her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She played in the same multigenerational Bunco group for over 40 years.

Her life revolved around her family and she was truly the center of our family. People gravitated to her because of her warmth and love for others. To know her was to love her and she was loved by many friends and neighbors. She was a living example of a godly woman. She ran the race well and is now waiting in heaven for our great reunion. She was greatly loved and will never be forgotten.

Scripture speaks of the virtuous wife, "Strength and Honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time" Proverbs 31:25. She now has a body that is strong and she rejoices as she walks the golden streets of Heaven with Jesus.

We would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Christina del-Toro Diaz and Dr. Ricardo Salas as well as the staff at Hoffman Hospice.

Visitation will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Hillcrest, located at 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306, on February 20, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. The funeral service will follow at the same location from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. A committal service will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Park, also at 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306, from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm.

A time of fellowship will follow the service at Valley Baptist Church 5500 Olive Drive.

Pallbearers will include Justin Lakin, Randy Wilcox, Tristan LaMond, Craig Barter, Joel Barter, and Gabriel Barter. Honorary pallbearers will be Taylor Wilcox and Charles Williams.