Saundra Jean Mayhew was born on July 8, 1940, in Brookfield, Missouri to the parents of Lou Ethel Holiday and Maurice Pendleton. Laverine Favors married Maurice Pendleton in 1944, and they raised Saundra and continued to watch over her.
Saundra was a member of First Baptist Church in Brookfield. She graduated from Brookfield High School in 1958, and later moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Saundra attended the Madame C. J. Walker Cosmetology School where she graduated and became a permanent wave and hair color technician for Monoco Hair Fashions. On June 19, 1960, she married Bill Mayhew from Oklahoma. During their union, they had four children: Anthony Maurice Mayhew (Tony), Kip Harlan Mayhew, Desmond Gustave Mayhew (Desi), and fostered Robert Camera. Saundra worked for Jackson County Circuit Court, where she retired in 1996 after dedicating thirty-five years. She later attended Avila College, where she received a certificate in Business and went on to begin her career as an Administrative Supervisor at Forest Hill/Calvary Cemetery. Her hobbies included sewing, music, gardening, and baking.
She leaves to cherish her memories, two sons Anthony “Toni” (Rhonda) Mayhew and Desmond “Desi” Mayhew, stepdaughter Jenny Vann, mother Laverine Smith “Honey”, sister Martina Travis, brothers from biological mother Lou Ethel Holiday, Billy Hill, Bobby Hill, grandchildren: Antwan Fuqua, Rafael Mayhew, Tyrone Cummings, Nick Johnson, Quiana Cartwright, Adoria Sipho-Mayhew, Brandon (Nashara) Mayhew, Ashley Mayhew, Amber Mayhew, Andre Mayhew, Desmond Jr. “DJ”, Bria Mayhew, Brooke Mayhew. Saundra also had thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Saundra had many other loved ones, including nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
