Lula Sanders

Lula Rae Sanders, 93, of Waco, passed away peacefully Monday, March 10, 2014 at Providence Hospice Place. Graveside services will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at the Waco Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel. Visitation with her family will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Lula Rae Sanders was born, Lula Rae Brown the 3rd of November 1920 to George Washington Brown and Mabel Crestine. As a child, her farming family was displaced when her father prematurely died from lung issues during the Dust Bowl in the 1930's. Her mother decided to move the family to the prosperous town of Waco since she already had family in the area. As a young girl, Lula was raised by the family's housekeeper while her mother worked. As a teen, Lula Rae already had a strong work ethic and lots of energy, so she began working to provide for herself and her ailing family. Her first job was as carhop at Bill Wood's Circus Room. She became a member of OES and was a member of Brookview Methodist Church and later, Central United Methodist Church. She met and married J.D. Sanders and raised their family in Waco. Briefly, they moved to Dallas where she worked at a Mr. M's store. She was widowed at an early age and decided never to remarry, instead focusing on her family.

Her work was her main love in life, and she was known by older Wacoans for her gracious and considerate service at Waco's famous George’s Surf and Sirloin Restaurant on Franklin Avenue. During her 30 years of service at George’s Surf and Sirloin, she won an award from the Chamber of Commerce. She gladly spent the last 21 years at the HEB on North 19th Street, where she handed out samples of goodies and pitched her sales to anyone she could. Most of us have to admit that she has sold us something we didn't intend to buy or use. She remained happy and bright, and was immensely caring of her family until the end. She was still an effective working member of society, surviving several major strokes to return to work. Lula Rae especially enjoyed the company of her co-workers and spoke with excitement of the next day to come. She never officially retired, working full-time until about six weeks ago. While at HEB, she won several awards and greatly enjoyed winning sales competitions on a regular basis.

“Mother” to many and friend to all, Lula Rae is survived by her two sons, William “Bill” and his wife, Liz of Waco and Robert and wife, Mitze Sanders of China Spring; four grandchildren, Barbara Ellis and husband, Kelly of Corpus Christi, Lacy Sanders of Corpus Christi, Jeffrey Sanders and Summer Sanders; and four great grandchildren, Bayleigh and Bradley Ellis of Corpus Christi, Mya Ramer of China Spring and Katherine Rae of Waco.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Providence Hospice and Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center for the excellent personal care they provided Lula.

In lieu of floral arrangements, memorials may be directed to Providence Hospice.