Wilmore Sanders' Obituary

Pub. Times, July 22, 1926

Wilmore Sanders, son of Elisha and Sally Sanders, was born in the State of Tennessee on March 2, 1853; died July 6, 1926, aged 73 years, 7 months and 10 days. His parents, brothers and sisters have preceded him in death.

Mr. Sanders' parents left Tennessee and immigrated to Illinois when Wilmore was but a small boy. It was during the War of '61' that he with his parents moved to Hamilton county, and 1896 he moved to McLeansboro with his family and has resided here ever since.

Mr. Sanders married Sarah Smith January 1, 1874, and to this union fourteen children were born, eight of whom have gone on before him.

His beloved wife, Sarah, passed away just three months ago, and this has been a constant grief to Mr. Sanders, and the burden was more than the tired traveler of more than 73 years could bear. The evening shadows of life closed about him in the early morn of a new day, whence he awoke to join the larger number of his family in the City of No Dead.

He leaves to mourn his death, six children, Edith Scarlett of West Frankfort, Margaret Carrolton of Elgin, Ill., Harry Sanders of Mr. Vernon, IL., Walter and Charley of McLeansboro, and Henry Sanders of Carmi.

Mr. Sanders was converted at an early age and united with the General Baptist church of which he was a member at the time of his death. When he was a young man he took an active interest in singing and was a choir leader. He also took much interest in prayer meeting.

Mr. Sanders expressed his desire to unite with his again and he was ready to go.

Funeral services were held at the First Baptist church of this city Saturday afternoon, July 17, conducted by Rev. C. M. Prince of Crossville and Rev. W. R. Evans, pastor of the First Baptist church. Interment took place in the Odd Fellows cemetery.

*Notes from the booklet Family of Henry Sanders by Henrietta Sanders Carte (1982):

"We know very little about Pa's (Wilmore) life. He was born in Tennessee in 1853. His left foot was club--I never knew if he was born that way or an if it was caused by an accident. He played the fiddle for dances, weddings, etc. In my early childhood, he had a Shoe Shop. It was on the right corner of the front yard at 306 E. St. Charles St., under the big sycamore trees. It was moved away later--when he had to quit work. Pa died 3 months to the day after Ma's (Sarah) death. They closed up the house and Pa moved down the street to Uncle Charlie's on the Rhine creek."