Glory Yarbrough Sanders, 83, of Sandy Springs, GA entered God’s Kingdom on August 12, 2021 from her Lake Burton home. Born in Pensacola, FL to Mildred and Dean Yarbrough, she graduated from Pensacola High School. She attended Auburn University where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She graduated from Huntingdon College with a BS in Biology. She matriculated to Mayo Clinic where she earned a certificate in Physical Therapy.
Glory was the quintessential Physical Therapist. She started her career at Phoebe Putnam Rehabilitation Clinic in Albany, GA. After several years she relocated to Atlanta where she was Chief PT at Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center. She was recruited for a special research and service grant sponsored by Emory University to develop a physical therapy department in an indigent and underserved community in Southside (current location of the GA Dome). In the early 1970’s, she and her business partner, June Williams, established Atlanta Physical Therapy Clinic, the first female owned clinic and one of the first private practices in GA. She treated and facilitated improved health for hundreds of patients in Sandy Springs and Atlanta until her retirement in 2006. She was cofounder of Comprehensive Therapy Services which provided needed Physical, Occupational, and Speech Language Pathology services to special needs children in facilities throughout GA.
She chose to give back to her profession through her involvement in professional activities. She was a lifelong member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the GA APTA chapter. She served on the APTA Finance Committee, was on the Foundation for Physical Therapy Board of Directors for many years, and was awarded the APTA highest award for service, the Lucy Blair Outstanding Service Award. In the GA APTA, she held numerous positions including two terms as Chapter President, Chief Delegate and as a long-time delegate to the APTA House of Delegates. She was a charter member of the GA Foundation for Physical Therapy and also served as President. She served as President of the Board of Physical Therapy for many years. She served as a clinical faculty instructor for the Department of Physical Therapy students at GA State University, Emory University and Medical College of GA. She believed in Physical Therapy and broadcast her love for her profession continuously. When she was ‘roasted’ by her colleagues for her many contributions and fund-raising efforts, she was described as so determined and convincing, she could sell you a car without an engine and convince you that you got a great deal!
Glory was known for her generous and giving heart, her love of exclamation marks and the joy she brought to all who knew her. As a friend said this week, her heart was so generous and loving, it’s no wonder it gave out. She loved her friends and family, her dogs, golf, dry Manhattan’s, cooking outside on the grill, taking cruises throughout the world, and driving her pontoon boat on the waters at Lake Burton.
She is survived by her wife and life partner of 35 years, Janet Brumfield of Atlanta; sister Patricia Yarbrough of Atlanta; brother Rudy Yarbrough (Elaine) of Peachtree City; nephew Evan Yarbrough of Savannah; niece Lily Yarbrough Condy (Joey) of Jacksonville, FL; great nieces Brighton and Maren Condy; sisters in law Brenda Swords of Tupelo, MS and Dennie (Betsy) Naugle (Tom) of New Orleans. She is also survived by her special friends of the heart: Mary Ellen Howley, Sue Pritchett, Jo Jones, and Mary Castiglione.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the GA Foundation for Physical Therapy (GFPTonline.org); the Atlanta Union Mission or to a charity of your choice.
