Clara Sanders

Clara Sanders, age 92, of Cartersville, GA, previously of Lebanon, OH, passed away at home on Thursday, June 16, 2016 with her loving daughters at her bedside. Clara was born on April 25, 1924, the oldest daughter of W.P. and Rachel (Bellamy) Spicer. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt & friend, eternally cherished for her gentle spirit, kindness, generosity, warmth, beauty & grace. Clara spent most of her career working as a school cook in Lebanon City Schools, showing her love to school children the same way she showed her love to her own family—by cooking for them. She was a wonderful cook and had a knack for making the ordinary very extraordinary with her special touch. After retirement, she and her beloved husband, Lew, traveled the U.S. & Canada, visiting old friends and making new friends along the way. She truly enjoyed the simple things in life and taught her children & grandchildren to appreciate the beauty of every day. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, especially her family, left to cherish and carry on the legacy she created. In addition to her parents, Clara was preceded in death by her siblings, Paul Spicer, Jim Spicer, Ray Spicer, Cora McIntosh and Helen Manning; her treasured son, Gilbert Sanders; and her husband, Lew, the love of her life, who surely welcomed her to Heaven with a dance after a long, nine year separation. She is survived by her two devoted daughters, Vicky (Pete) Faulkner of Cartersville, GA, and Brenda Westendorf, of Kettering, OH; adoring grandchildren, Jennifer (Matt) Theibert, of Dayton, OH, Ryan Faulkner of Cartersville, GA, Brooke (Michael) Halpin, of Chicago, IL, Andrew (Leanne) Faulkner of Acworth, GA, Rusty (Emilee) Westendorf, of Dayton, OH, Ruthie Sanders, of Middletown, OH and Eli Sanders & Isaac Sanders of Franklin, OH; great-grandchildren, Brendan, Christian, Rhys, Sydney, Avery, Atticus, Simone, Colette, Carter, Emerson, Campbell and Greyson; two loving sisters, Ora Loer and Liz Butler; best friends, Norman & Jean Vincent; as well as a host of special nieces & nephews. Clara’s family will hold a celebration of life on Saturday, July 9 at Owen Funeral Home in Cartersville, GA and will lay her to rest in a private graveside ceremony at Lebanon Cemetery later this summer, where we will celebrate our beautiful matriarch with a smile, remembering her final wish… “Let’s just all be happy.”

Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to post tributes and sign the on-line register.

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA 30120 has charge of the arrangements.