Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
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Lena Mae Sanders 88, residing in Huron and formerly of Sandusky went home to be with The Lord peacefully on June 25 after an extended illness.
She was born on March 31st in 1927 to the late Trying Henry and Anna Hunt in Elberton, Georgia.
Lena was one of 9 children and was preceded in death by her siblings, Charlend, Elizabeth, Berda, James Allen, twins Earlie and Learlie, William Thomas (W.T.), and Eula Mae. She has one remaining brother, Marion Sheppard.
She attended the South Campbell school while growing up in Elberton. She was baptized at the early age of 13 at the Triumphant Holiness Church of God under the pastorate of a Mother Cane.
After the death of her father she was raised by her mother, Anna and her maternal grandmother, Augusta Hunt and her uncle Jim Hunt. In 1944 the family moved to Gadsden, Alabama; while in Gadsden Lena attended the George Washington Carver High School. She completed the 8th grade and then went to work which was the custom of the day for many. It was with this strong work ethic that she would raise her children.
Upon their arrival in Gadsden the family became affiliated with the Apostolic Overcoming Holiness Church of God. She was called to the ministry and was ordained in 1953. She has been actively involved in the work of ministry for over 65 years.
In 1955 she moved to Sandusky and became a member of the Assembly of Jesus Christ Church. While there she served in a number of leadership capacities. Upon moving to Sandusky she worked in housekeeping at Cedar Point and the Belstein Cleaners. She also worked in a number of Health Care Facilities as a nurse's aide which included; the Providence Hospital; before working for and retiring from the Ohio Veterans Home after 27 years.
In 1978 she became an inaugural member of The Emmanuel Temple Church where she served faithfully as one of the founding church mothers. She was the first president of the woman's department and served on the ministerial staff.
She was honored by the "Sandusky Register" as a mother of the year in a 1991 article in which she shared as the article indicated a, "wealth of motherly experience."
She was preceded in death by her husband the late American Sanders, Sr.
She leaves to cherish her memories her 11 children; Doris Hendrix, Sandusky, Nettie (Rev. Ernest) Jackson of Toledo, Ohio; Bishop, Dr. Rufus ( Dr. JoAnn), Sheila (William) Gillespie, American Jr., Carolyn ( Russell) Smith, all of Sandusky and Patricia Kemp, of Phoenix, Arizona; Dr. Eugene, Mary Ann, Michael (Kathy); all of Sandusky and Amy ( Clarence) Francis of Huron, Ohio, and one brother Marion Sheppard also of Sandusky. She is the loving grandmother to 15 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and her remaining cousins, the Hunt family in Alabama.
Services for Mother Sanders will held at the Emmanuel Temple Church 128 E. Adams Street, Sandusky on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at 11A.M. The wake and family hour will begin at 10A.M. The officiant will be Dr. Eugene Sanders. The Eulogist will be, The Bishop, Dr. Rufus Sanders. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery.
Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., is entrusted with the arrangements.
Condolences and gifts of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting www.toftfh.com.
