Jacqueline Sanders

Jacqueline (Lewis) Sanders was born March 5, 1932 in Eufaula, OK, the daughter of Benjamin Lewis and Jennie (Scott) Charles. She later moved to Eastern Oklahoma, where she enjoyed playing basketball and softball during her school days and was a graduate of Sequoyah High School. At the young age of 16, she had the opportunity to appear as an extra in the movie “Jim Thorpe All American.” In her early twenties, she met Charles Lemuel Sanders and the two were married on July 15, 1953. Their union was blessed with six children, Charles, Michael, Cheryl, Lucretia, Darrel and Jerry. Jacqueline took pride in caring for her family and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was attentive to keeping things organized and would often get her daughters in the kitchen to help. She was quite the seamstress and made many dresses for them and liked to put together appliques to be placed on Native American dresses. Although home was where her heart was, now and then she and Lem would take the family out to watch movies at the local drive-in. Jacqueline was a fan of big band music and loved to sport her collection of saddle oxford shoes. She and Charles weren’t shy on a dance floor and enjoyed many dates at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. They shared over 60 years of wonderful memories together before his passing in 2014. Even after Jacqueline’s health began to fail, she continued to have a great sense of humor, always joking and bringing a smile to those around her. She stood for values and traditions, preserving her Native American heritage as a citizen of the Muscogee Creek Nation and a member of the Bird Clan. A Christian by faith, she was a member of Grace Baptist Church. On Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at her home in Tahlequah, Jacqueline passed from this life at the age of 92 years old. She will be greatly missed and her memory will forever be kept in the hearts of those who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents Benjamin Lewis and Jennie (Scott) Charles, husband Charles Lemuel Sanders, one son, Charles W. Sanders, one daughter, Lucretia O. Kirk, one brother, Stephen Lewis and one sister, Ellen Pepiakitah.

Jacqueline is lovingly remembered by her children, Michael S. Sanders and wife Kathleen of Tahlequah, OK, Cheryl A. Sanders of Dallas, TX, Darrel W. Sanders of Gore, OK and Jerry L. Sanders of Tahlequah, OK. She also leaves one brother, James Charles and wife Ruthie of Canadian, OK and one sister, Delilah Charles of Eufaula, OK. Her legacy lives on through her 15 grandchildren, Jennifer, Derek and wife Lisa, Steed, Joshua and wife Sarah, Grace, Loretta, Ruth, Joseph, Caroline, Steven, Jerry, Johnathen, Taylor, Kaesi and Rachael, 18 great grandchildren, Nathan and wife Sarah, Colton, Conor, Aubree, Peyton, Tatum, Jager, Graham, Anna, Ryan, Brandon, Kyle, Lilie, Lyla, Liam, Aubrey, Bella, and Nolan, along with her dear family friends, Priscilla, Janet, Shirley, Regina, Theresa, McKenzie, the Daugherty family, the Pantoja family and the Garcia family, her nieces, Stephanie, Nancy, Sabrina and Stacey and nephew Tony Jr. as well as many friends and loved ones.

The family would like to extend a special Mvto (Thank You) to all the nurses and staff with Hospice of the Cherokee and her medical team that have helped with their compassionate care.

Graveside services for Jacqueline will be held Monday, June 24, 2024 at 10:00am at Tahlequah City Cemetery with Pastor Mvhayv Charcoal-Locust officiating.

Honorary pallbearers include Derek Kirk, Jerry Sanders, Steven Sanders, Nathan Kirk and Colton Kirk.