Eva Udene Willis Sanders
Eva Udene Willis Sanders, age 91 of Zwolle, Louisiana, passed peacefully surrounded by family on August 13, 2021.
On February 19, 1930, Udene was born to Elvin and Mary “Molly” Willis in Sikes, Louisiana. Udene was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings: Lamoor Willis, Leon Willis, Leonard Willis, JB Willis, Chloe Shows and Faye Hatten.
She was married for 62 years to the love of her life and late husband, Garland Sanders. They made their home in Winnfield, Louisiana where she was employed by South Central Bell as a telephone operator for many years. She then worked alongside her husband as they built Sanders Tractor Company and Sanders Construction Company. She was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Winnfield where she served as WMU president, sang in the choir and taught Sunday school.
Udene was the perfect balance of sweetness and spice with sophistication and down-home comfort. She was an excellent cook! Her recipes were coveted by many. She loved traveling in the family RV, bass fishing, needlepointing elaborate Christmas stockings for her doted-on grandchildren and great-grandchildren and bird watching at their Toledo Bend lake house. Also, she learned early on that if she was going to have time with her husband during hunting season, she had to learn to hunt, aim and shoot. She was an excellent marksman and often outshot the men! She shared many successful hunting trips with friends and family.
Most importantly was her Christian witness left for her family. She loved her morning and evening Bible time. She treasured listening to God’s whispered words.
She leaves behind a large family to cherish her memory: two children, Robyn Sanders Milazzo (Thomas) and Scott Sanders (Faye); six grandchildren, Somere Sanders (Tino Maniatis), Shay Sanders, Jessica Staggs (Patrick), Dustin Sanders, Jordan Milazzo (Lisa), Devin Milazzo (Brittny); and 11 great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Isabel and Helena Maniatis; Madalyn, Caylyn and Dyson Peddy; Shawn Patrick and Amelia Staggs; Aubrey and Cooper Milazzo; and soon-to-be-born Dakota Milazzo.
Services were held at First Baptist Church of Winnfield with Dr. Jerry Pipes officiating under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Interment was at Garden of Memories in Winnfield. Visitation was from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and the service began at 1:00 pm.
Pallbearers were Jordan Milazzo, Devin Milazzo, Dustin Sanders, Shawn Patrick Staggs, Terry Sanders, Charles LaFleur, Greg Hatten and honorary pallbearer was Steve Labadie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home or the Aimwell Baptist Church Building Fund, Zwolle, Louisiana.
Friends may express messages of condolence to the family online by visiting southernfuneralhome.com.