Eleanor Irene Sanders

Eleanor “Irene” Sanders was born on August 1, 1937, in Vicksburg, Mississippi to Eddie Leo Cook, Sr and Corene Cook. Irene contracted polio as an infant and spent her first few years of life getting treatment at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. She never let the polio stop her or define her. Irene learned how to play the piano at a young age. As a teenager, she played the piano at her church Oak Grove Baptist Church in Phoenix, Mississippi. Irene developed a love of church music and hymns continuing in her lifetime to sing in many church choirs with her beautiful soprano voice. Irene was a graduate of Satartia High School.

As a teenager, Irene met the love of her life, John Sanders, in Phoenix. Irene liked to tell stories about how John would walk across the pasture in front of her house, and she would whistle at him when he walked by. Irene and John started dating after Irene and her brother picked John up from basic training. They were married on November 8, 1962.

The couple moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1965 following John’s time in the Army. There they built a beautiful life grounded on their shared faith, which they instilled in their three children – Thomas, Terri, and Theresa. Irene was a member of Hinds and Warren County Homemaker Clubs. She was a proud employee of the Army Corp of Engineers in Vicksburg, Mississippi, for over 30 years.

In 2005, Irene and John moved to Terry, Mississippi, to a house right next door to their youngest daughter Theresa and her family. All of her grandchildren have fond memories of their “Meme” taking them on golf cart rides all around their acreage and taking time to teach them how to bake her delicious homemade biscuits, carrot souffle, Italian Cream Cake, and many other things. Irene taught the Senior Adult ladies Sunday School class at First Baptist Terry, Mississippi for many years.

Irene entered the presence of her heavenly Father on May 10, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Irene is survived by her husband John, son Dr. Thomas (Treva) Sanders, daughter Terri (Fred) Klicka, daughter Theresa (Kevin) Hand, grandchildren Katie (Alex) Fruth, Claire (Jaime) Hernandez, Sydney Klicka, Kyle Sanders, Lauren Hand, Leigh Hand, great-grandchildren Holt, Leo Hernandez and Eleanor Fruth, brother Eddie Leo (Janelle) Cook and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Bentonia, MS on 790 Phoenix Road on May 13, 2025. There will be a Visitation at 1pm and the Funeral Service will begin at 2pm.