Roberta May Sanders

On April 1st, 2024, our UNFORGETTABLE “Birdie” passed from this life into her eternal one!

Roberta May Sanders, born in Coleman, Texas on December 20, 1940 was a lively and fun woman - full of life, laughter and love. Once she met you, she never forgot you! She lived in Drumright, Oklahoma and moved to Edmond, Oklahoma in 2004 to Grace Living Center, now known as The Timbers Skilled Nursing and Therapy in Edmond. She often greeted visitors at the door of her “home” telling them “Welcome to Graceland!” She was a devoted fan of the OSU Cowboys, decorating her room with all things orange and black… Later,she became a fan of the OKC Thunder Basketball team, and especially a follower of KD (Kevin Durant), watching every game she could and changing her room décor to orange and blue.

She grew up in the Baptist faith, and was baptized in her family’s church as a young girl. In the Fall of 2005 she informed her friends and family that she wanted “to become a Catholic.” When asked why she wanted to join the Catholic church, she replied “because I just want to, and I know I can!” She began attending St John the Baptist Church in Edmond, and under the special teaching of Father Lewis Vanderley, she joined the Catholic church on October 12th, 2005, being granted a special dispensation by the Church. She loved Jesus and everybody else!

She was preceded in death by her father William Sanders; mother Lenore Crossland Sanders Wyatt; and her brother Jerry Sanders.

She is survived by her sisters Agnes (Dee) Daniels of Tulsa, and Judy Baker of Denison, TX; her brother Robert (Cotton) Sanders with wife Judy of Tulsa, and many nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by her “Gardenia”, Felicia Jones,LPN, who became her “Guardian” in 2005. She has numerous friends from the Timbers Skilled Nursing and Therapy in Edmond, who never seemed to be her “nursing staff” but lovingly cared for Birdie as her family, especially with her special friend there, social worker Leah Ann Wynn (and her family) caring for so many of her personal needs over the years of her residency there. Good Shepherd Hospice nurses, chaplains and social workers were her constant friends and visitors, often bearing little gifts with big love. The Eucharistic Ministers and Priests from St John the Baptist Catholic Church visited her regularly, bringing her the Eucharist weekly with love and prayers for her healing and life.

Interment of ashes is on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 2:00pm with St Martins Cemetery in Midwest City, with St John the Baptist overseeing a Catholic Rite of Committal. A memorial service is planned at a later date with The Timbers Skilled Nursing and Therapy in Edmond. Please contact The Timbers for further information.