Mary Alice Sanders

August 11th, 2019, our rock, matriarch, and inspiration of our lives, Mary Alice Sanders, went to be with the Lord and is now enjoying her reward in Heaven! Where do we begin to honor this incredible, amazing woman? Most importantly would be her desire to honor our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Through her unshaken faith God created the most loving, caring prayer warrior we know. Her endless acts of kindness and encouragement will be missed by all. Rest assured, if you are reading this she prayed for you. Her passionate determination to practice her faith was evident as a serving member of her beloved church, Antioch Missionary Baptist. There she taught countless children Sunday school and Vacation Bible school for over 50 years! We'll never forget the wonderful and delicious family meals she loved to cook! To say she was a talented cook is a gross understatement. The same goes for her beautiful flower gardens that she had every year and loved so much. She was a fierce competitor in all sports and a huge fan of her Razorbacks! Her athletic career began with playing high school basketball for the Newport Greyhounds. In her college years she was the cheerleading captain at Arkansas Tech University. This is where she met the love of her life and was married for over 70 years! As a young mother she became an avid league bowler and bridge player. She continued to play bridge until very recently and loved so much her bridge friends. Her clear favorite sport was her move to tennis in her 40's. She loved to compete and in 1996 her 3.5 Senior women's team won the Southern Championship and competed in nationals in Palm Springs. She played in many doubles tournaments and after her playing days, which lasted well into her 80's, she still enjoyed being team captain up until this year at 90! This year she was honored by receiving the Henry Doyle Outstanding Senior Award recognizing leadership and personal example throughout the tennis community. She was also on the staff of the Arkansas Tennis Association as Junior Recreation Director. Her favorite part of the job was teaching the children during the summer. Her primary profession was as an entrepreneur, owner of three retail clothing stores, Mom & Tot in North Little Rock, Vivian Pierce in Little Rock, and Adele Pond in Stuttgart. She had a talent for fashion and décor and such great taste. We will miss you so much, our Mom, Garame, Becca, Gam. We will be together again! Thanks to all our friends and family for your love and support during this difficult time. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Sam Sanders; sons, Scott Sanders (Kandi) of Cabot and Clay Sanders (Anne) of Little Rock; daughters, Catherine Westbrook (David) of Maumelle and Suzanne Schutter (Mel) of Little Rock; grandchildren, Clay T. Sanders, Colby Sanders, Courtney Goldberg, Collin Sanders, Jordon Custer, Taylor Wisdom, Burke Sanders, Shelby Coe Sanders and Sam Sanders; and great-grandchildren, Kinley Sanders, Lincoln Sanders, Blake Alice Sanders, Millie Goldberg, Collins Goldberg, and Scarlett Sanders. She was predeceased by her parents, Boyce and Catherine Smith Coe, brother, Joe Coe, daughter, Sammie Gail Sanders and step-grandson, Jaden Herlacher. Visitation will be Friday, August 16 from 5-7 p.m. at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, with services on Saturday, August 17 at 10 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the church at 5300 Stagecoach Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72204 or to the Sammie Gail Sanders Learning Center, 1300 W. 18th St., North Little Rock, Ark. 72114. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501) 224-2200. Mrs. Sanders' online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.