Ilawene Sanders' Obituary
Our beloved Mother, Ilawene Robertson Sanders, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025 at the age of 93. To all who knew and loved her, she was affectionately known as “Nanny”.
Ilawene was born September 5, 1932 to Emmett and Maudenia Robertson in Oneonta, Alabama. She had an older brother, Mitchell, whom she adored. She graduated from Oneonta High School where she proudly led the band as Head Majorette. Growing up in a musically-gifted household, she joined her family in The Robertson Trio, sharing their talents in churches and concert halls across the Southeast.
In 1951, she met a young sailor named Nolan Sanders and they married on August 11, 1952. They moved to Mobile, Alabama where they started their new life and family. They had a daughter, Elaine, and a son, Allen. In the years to come they would eventually be blessed with 7 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren and they would forever be known as “Nanny and Boppa”.
Ilawene had many talents and hobbies, but she especially enjoyed the years that she worked as a bridal consultant and floral designer in Mobile. She was also a wonderful seamstress and loved quilting, smocking, and creating beautiful French handsewn clothing. In her free time, she and Nolan enjoyed gardening, growing beautiful flowers and vegetables. Ilawene was an exceptional cook and loved preparing and sharing meals with her family and friends.
To say that Ilawene was a loyal Alabama fan is an understatement. At an early age, she taught her family that on Saturdays in the Fall, you put on your Crimson, gather around the TV and yell “Roll Tide!”. She and Boppa also loved to attend games when they could, and their dedication to the University of Alabama greatly influenced their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In 1989, Nolan and Ilawene moved from Mobile to Germantown, Tennessee. They chose Ridgeway Baptist Church to plant their roots as their new church home where they made many lifelong friendships and grew in their faith. They joined the choir where they could share in their love for music, enjoyed serving weekly Wednesday night dinners, welcomed all as Sunday morning greeters, and were active members in their Sunday School class.
Ilawene devoted her life to her husband of 67 years, her 2 children, her 7 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. They were the joy of her life.
The love for her family is only surpassed by her love for her Lord and Savior. As a young child, Ilawene gave her heart to Jesus and her deepest desire in life was to be a Godly example for her family, friends, and others as a witness to lead them to the Lord.
We give thanks to God our Father for blessing our family with our beautiful Mother and Nanny, Ilawene. She will be dearly missed, but we rejoice in knowing she is now in the arms of her Savior.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Where Memphis comes to remember, since 1924.”
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