Dorothy L Sanders

COLUMBIA - Dorothy Lane Sanders passed away on Saturday morning, September 17, 2016, surrounded by her beloved family and friends. She is finally free of the weakened body that has encased her tremendous spirit for the past decade. No more is she dependent on caring, helping hands to assist her in daily life; she is dancing with angels and free from pain. Although she lived to be 92 years of age, the family hopes that her friends will remember her as the young Dorothy Lane Sanders – the one without physical ailments that lived life to the fullest and loved her family deeply. She lived her life caring for others and her life of sharing made so many other people’s lives so much better. Dorothy was born on July 29, 1924, in Columbia, SC, to LaVeeda Miller Lane and Benjamin Harry Lane. She and her beloved sister, Marjorie Lane Fusci, grew up in a hard working family. Despite the Great Depression, the girls never felt poor because of the rich special memories they created together. She and Marjorie and their husbands remained close throughout their lives and their children grew up together as brothers and sisters. Leaving her sister was probably the hardest thing for Dorothy in leaving this world. Dorothy married Henry “Shiney” Clifton Moore, Jr. on December 9, 1941. They had one child during their marriage, Henry Clifton Moore III. Unfortunately, Dorothy’s husband died at the young age of 28 after a brief illness leaving her and young Henry behind. As fate would have it, Dorothy found love again and married William T. Sanders on December 29, 1950. They lived a beautiful life together for 54 years and Bill loved Henry as though he were his own son. During their marriage they had one daughter together, Deloris Elaine Sanders. After Bill passed away in 2004, Dorothy continued living in their home of 52 years with the help of wonderful friends/caregivers along with her strong will to remain where she was happiest and most comfortable. She was proud of her career as a homemaker and her home was always full of friends, family, great meals, dancing, and lots of laughter. Dorothy was a very active member of Main Street Methodist Church and was one of their oldest living members. She ensured her children went to church and participated in all activities. She was active in the Mother’s Class, and was a leader in both Brownie Scouts and Girl Scouts. Beginning in the 1960’s, Dorothy was also a leader and active member of the Richland County Republican Women’s Club and participated in numerous statewide races and conventions. She was a true conservative and cared about her community. She did not just vote, she made educated choices on the candidates she supported on the local, state, and national levels. A lifelong resident of Columbia, Dorothy loved to travel with her family and friends. She visited Paris, London, Portugal, South America, and many exciting places in the United States. She especially loved cruises. She and her daughter Deloris took at least one annual cruise for over 15 years. On these voyages, she turned many strangers into lifelong friends. As much as she loved faraway trips, the ones most dear to her were to the beaches of South Carolina. She loved spending time with family in Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, and Edisto Island. An avid reader before her vision became impaired, she would consume three to four lengthy novels a week. She enjoyed her book clubs along with yoga and shopping. She had some special lifetime friends including Louise Huston, Susan Riddlehoover Martin, Karen Seay, Pamela Reeves, John Bellinger, Becky and Jake Moore, and Servet Cankaya. Dorothy’s loving niece, Donna Fusci was not only her niece, but a friend and soul mate. Dorothy looked forward to and loved holiday and family gatherings, usually at her daughter’s home on Lake Murray. She always believed the more the merrier and enjoyed large gatherings of family that included family and extended family. Traditional menus have now gone through a minimum of three generations with a very Southern flavor. A very special thanks to Scott Reynolds, managing partner at Bonefish on Forest Drive, who made sure that nearly every Thursday, Dorothy and her sister, daughter, and niece had their same front table reserved. The kindness of the staff will never be forgotten. Although they had no favorite restaurant, she loved her Sunday afternoon lunches with her son Henry. Until her death, Dorothy was able to look forward to dining out with the company of her family. Giving her great dignity and care for many years, the family is deeply grateful for Mrs. Anne Whitt, Mrs. Lizzie McCants, Miss Ivy Gay, Miss Keilah Hayes, Ms. Shirley Stribling, and Ms. Regina Seymore. Mrs. Whitt was our steady angel for Dorothy and her husband for over 15 years. These loving friends and care givers were the most wonderful team anyone could hope to have in a lifetime. The family is also grateful to the many years of professional care by Dr. Vaughan Barnick of Providence Medical Associates. He was so much more than her physician, he was her lifeline. His care was a major factor in her long life. Special thanks to Providence Hospital and their caring staff the many times they saw her through various health issues. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, William T. (Bill) Sanders; her parents, LaVeeda Miller Lane and Benjamin Harry Lane; her first husband, Henry Clifton Moore, Jr.; and her niece Toni Fusci Tackett. Surviving Dorothy are her sister, Marjorie Fusci; her son, Henry Clifton Moore, III (Betty); her daughter Deloris Elaine Sanders Mungo (Stewart); grandchildren Mary Elaine Mungo Dubisky (Russell), Matthew Sanders Mungo (Mary Grace), Melissa Moore Bliss (Patrick), and Edward Moore (Donna); and great-grandchildren Mary-Sanders Mungo Dubisky, Matthew Stewart Mungo, Jordan Lane Bliss, and Ally Nicole Moore. She is also survived by her two cats that gave her great comfort and joy, Pepper and Trouble. This wonderful, supportive family has been with Dorothy Sanders, our matriarch, through every bump in the road with love and honor. They demonstrate what family is all about. Dorothy was a passionate lover of all animals, wild and domestic. There was never an injured bird or squirrel that she did not nurse back to health if possible. Her home was always filled with beloved cats and dogs that lived long, happy lives because of the care she bestowed them. They were as much her children as her two-legged ones. Because of her strong belief in caring for animals, the family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials in her memory be made to Pawmetto Lifeline, 1275 Bower Parkway, Columbia, SC, 29212. A Celebration of Dorothy’s life will be conducted at noon on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Main Street UMC, officiated by Rev. Dr. Thom Jones and Rev. Robert Walker. Burial will follow in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com