It is with great sadness that we must announce the death of Valerie Sanders Gonzalez, known as Myie to many. Myie was born on February 1, 1924, in Galveston, Texas, to parents Jason Poland Sanders and Myrtie Chase Sanders. She died on December 25, 2024, and was 100 years old. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family who had gathered to celebrate Christmas with her. She is survived by her four daughters, one “adopted” daughter, 13 grandchildren, and more than 20 great-grandchildren.
During her lifetime she made many lifelong friends in all of the places she lived and visited. She was kind, generous, helpful and unselfishly opened her home to hundreds! She will be remembered fondly by those that knew her and we are thankful that she is loved and remembered by so many. The family would like to thank her fabulous caregivers who were important to her at the end of her life.
Valerie grew up in the Shreveport, Louisiana, area with her three brothers, (Jason, Nelson and Jack) and her sister Iva Lee. She graduated from Byrd High School in 1940 and at the age of 16 began her studies at LSU, where she met her future husband, Silvio Gonzalez. After marrying in 1944, Silvio and Valerie moved to Nicaragua with their newborn daughter Sylvia. Her other three daughters were born while she lived in Nicaragua - Gail, Patricia, and Carol. When Silvio tragically died in 1956, she moved back to the United States, first to Mansfield, Louisiana, and then to her final home in Baton Rouge. To provide for her daughters and their education, she worked at Guaranty Life Insurance, Rexall Drugs, and Goudchaux's, and later Dillard’s as credit manager. She loved to travel, visiting all but 3 states in the US and many international countries. She loved swimming in the ocean: the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. She loved playing cards and board games with her children and grandchildren and working her Sudoku puzzles.
Most of all, she loved her family, and we are forever indebted to her and thankful for the sacrifices she made for our benefit. Memorial donations may be made to the Cleveland Clinic or to a charity of your choice.
