Janis Knox Sanders, 99
November 6, 1924 – February 9, 2024
Janis Knox Sanders passed away February 9, 2024. She was born in New Albany, Mississippi to Baxter Nicholson Knox and his wife, Corinne Evans Knox, on November 6, 1924, the youngest of their five children. She was a lifelong member of First Methodist Church where she married her husband, Richard Wolsey Sanders, in 1947. She later raised her four children there and helped create the needlepoint altar rail.
She graduated from New Albany High School in 1942 where she played both clarinet and piano in the school orchestra. She attended MSCW for two years during World War II, later graduating from Ole Miss with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in elementary education. A retired teacher, Mrs. Sanders worked for many years in the New Albany School District where she especially enjoyed teaching reading.
In addition to her love of music and different types of needlework, she was a talented artist and often designed and painted scenery for school plays. An enthusiastic traveler, she enjoyed many overseas trips with a close group of dear friends, most of whom she had known since childhood.
A devoted and incredibly loving mother, she will be greatly missed by her family who adored her. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her eldest son, John, her sister Virginia McAlister, and brothers Larkin, Billy, and Baxter Knox, Jr. She is survived by her daughter Corinne Butler (Clyde), daughter-in-law Kathy Sanders of New Albany, and sons Bob Sanders of Ridgeland, Mississippi and David Sanders of Tappan, New York, grandchildren Laura Montgomery of Oxford, Ben Sanders and Jacob Sanders of New Albany, Janis +Kent of Madison, Elliott Sanders of Camp Sherman, Oregon, Sarah McCusker of Los Angeles, California, Knox Butler and Ben Butler of Tupelo, and Rush Butler of New Albany, nine great grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to First Methodist Church of New Albany.
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