Dora Jean (Friend) Sanders

On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, Dora Jean "Friend" Sanders peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home. Dora was born to the late Walter and Mary Etta Friend on November 10, 1938 in Fulton, MS.

Dora accepted Christ at an early age at New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Smithville, MS. She was an accomplished student at Monroe County Training School and later attended Okolona Junior College where she earned an Associates Degree in Accounting. After relocating to Chicago, she joined and became an active member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and also met and married Melvin Sanders. God blessed this marriage with two children, Beverly and Ronald. She was a dedicated wife and loving mother. Upon her retirement from Felpro, Inc., she relocated to Grand Rapids where she united with Messiah Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully for many years.

Dora was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, foster mother, sister, and she was “everybody’s” Aunt Dora or Auntie Granny. She was an amazing cook, a talented seamstress and volunteered to launder and iron the baptismal garments and communion linens until her health failed. She was content to work in the background, never seeking the spotlight. She was definitely the wind beneath our wings. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

Dora Sanders leaves to celebrate her homegoing three grandsons Nuel Friend (Deannia) of Grand Rapids, Ml, Jarrod Matthewson of Auburn Hills, MI, De-ron Williams of Humble, TX, one great granddaughter, Lady Monroe Friend of Grand Rapids, MI, her brother James Paul Friend (Ruth) of Smithville, MS, sisters Ozzie Mae Jager (Donald), and Mary Elizabeth Ghoston both of Grand Rapids, MI, her foster daughter Kenyatta Ghoston Doss of Albuquerque, NM and many other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin Sanders, her children Beverly Matthewson and Ronald Sanders, her brothers Walter Ed Friend, Willie Junior Friend and beloved family members Ida Mae Friend and Esther Friend.

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