Carol Lee Hedrick of Steelville, Missouri was born on February 28, 1945 in Marion, Kentucky to Orvel Lee Richardson and Velma Ruth (nee Etheridge) Richardson, and passed away Thursday, August 27, 2026 at the age of 81 years.
She moved from Kentucky to Missouri around age 14.
She later married Frederick E. Sanders.
Carol worked as a waitress in California (Denny's), Kentucky (Druthers and Marion Coffee Shop), and Missouri (Spare Rib Inn in Steelville and Voss Truck Stop in Cuba). She also worked as a model with the Ford Agency in Palm Springs, and was the owner and operator of the first video store in Marion, Kentucky (Curve Inn Video).
She loved music and going to concerts. She was a bit of a homesteader and enjoyed spending time outdoors, landscaping her flowers and garden, planting and weeding. She foraged for native plants in the woods and enjoyed canning and natural medicines.
She was a constant caregiver to beloved pets of all kinds. Strays found her or she found them, and she had a special way of getting along with cats, dogs, rabbits, parrots, ducks, goats and mules.
She was a Christian with deep faith, who described Jesus as her best friend. She listened to Bible teaching and read devotional books, and attended Center Point Baptist Church in Steelville, Missouri and Living Word Church in Leasburg, Missouri.
She is survived by her children, Vickie (Terry) Moutray of Steelville, Missouri and Frederick R. (Susan) Sanders of La Mirada, California; grandchildren, Freddy Sanders of Pomona, California and Phoebe Sanders of La Mirada, California; three sisters, Betty McDowell, Shelby Collins and Shelia Richardson, all of Marion, Kentucky; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 5-6 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Misouri.
Celebration of Life was held at 6 p.m. at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Misouri with Pastor Jimmy Delacourt officiating.
The family chose cremation. Graveside service was held at 10 a.m. on September 26, 2026 at Mapleview Cemetery in Marion, Kentucky followed by a reception at 11:30 a.m. at the Livingston Hospital Foundation Community Center in Salem, Kentucky.
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
