Georgia Bernice Sanders

Georgia B. Sanders, "TinTie", passed away Saturday, January 28, 2017 in Abilene, Texas at the age of 90. Born August 30, 1926 to Curtis and Edyth Sanders, Georgia grew up in Marked Tree, Arkansas. She attended and graduated from Abilene Christian College (ACC), receiving a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and minor in English. After college, she went to work for Judge Walter Ely as a legal secretary, coincidently, she participated in the Legal Secretary's Association. During her participation, she held several offices within the Legal Secretaries, including President of the State of Texas Association. After several years with Judge Ely, an opening with the Federal Court system came up in the Abilene area office for a U.S. Deputy Clerk in charge of the U.S. District Court for the Abilene Division of the Northern District of Texas. Through encouragement and blessing by Judge Ely, Georgia took the position and stayed until she retired in September 1993 after serving 22 years. This job worked actively with Federal Judges and law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and the U.S. Marshalls service. Even being within the confines of a prominent and very active career, she was still able to engage in a very active civic and community life being involved with several organizations; The Abilene Women's Club, Abilene Christian alumni and active organizations, such as the "Diamond Dames", Delta Theta, and the West Texas Rehabilitation Center since its inception. She was instrumental in recruiting the area Legal Secretaries to provide data entry of received donations starting with the first West Texas Rehabilitation Telethon and continuing for several years after, along with other active support through the years. She was an active student of the arts, and enjoyed painting landscape scenes along with making her once a year gingerbread candy house that she would make every Christmas. She was a life-long member of the Church of Christ and a member of the University Church of Christ for several years. One of her favorite past-times was to travel to various locations around the world, particularly sea ports or beaches. Every year she would spend a few weeks on South Padre Island with friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents; Shelley V. Smith, Sr. and Ian Matthew Smith. Survivors include, Shirley S. Smith; nephews and nieces, Shelley Vance and Sharon (Shari) J. Smith Jr., Seth Austin and Katelin B. Smith; great-nephews and great-nieces, Daniel J. Smith (Renee), Robert A. Smith (Lora), and Shelly Vanessa Smith (Jerry Slaton), Georgia B. Smith, (her namesake), Willow B. Smith, along with three great-great nieces, Lucy and Ruby Smith and Ila Slaton; cousin, Ralph Sanders, as well as numerous other cousins. Pallbearers are Daniel Smith, Robert Smith, Jerry Slaton and Scott Jones. Honorary will be The Northern District of the U.S. District Court, along with the division's local FBI agents, U.S. Marshall and Deputy's active and retired, The Texas Association of Legal Secretaries, Delta Theta members, and Abilene Women's Club. The family ask that memorials be made to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at the funeral home. Graveside services will be at 1:15 PM on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Jonesboro Memorial Park in Jonesboro, Arkansas.