Janet Sue “Aunt Susie” Sanders of Steelville, Missouri was born on Thursday, Jan. 17, 1946 in Steelville, Missouri to Vernon Estel Sanders and Agnes Eunice (nee Dierking) Sanders and passed away Friday, April 24, 2026 at the age of 80 years, 3 months and 7 days.
She was a graduate of Steelville High School Class of 1962.
She worked at FCNB before moving to Wentzville, where she spent three years working for a phone company. She returned to Steelville, where she worked with Lefler Realty for 13 years, and then at the Crawford County Health Department, for 33 and a half years until her retirement.
She was a pillar of Straightway Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School, helping with Vacation Bible School, leading music and choir, organizing programs and cantatas and working in the kitchen to prepare meals. She also gave back to the next generation as a 4-H leader for many years.
She was an avid bowler, traveling with her family league. She sang with her family in “The Gospel Heirs,” and traveled to share their message through song. She loved reading, tending to her plants and flowers and cooking and baking.
She held family traditions close. Easter meant hundreds of dyed eggs, and Christmas was a time when every child received a gift and every adult was remembered with her homemade baked goods. She cared deeply for her community, supporting Golden Echoes and the Steelville Food Pantry.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Agnes Sanders; siblings, Tom (Jean) Sanders, Jane (Bob) Richardson and Mabel (Doyle) Moutray.
She is survived by her siblings, Alice “Fay” Halbert and Vernon “Estel” (Violet “Sis”) Sanders both of Steelville, Missouri; best friend since second grade, Shirley Stulce of Steelville, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Bro. Bill Towns officiating.
Burial was at Straightway Baptist Cemetery in Steelville, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
