Obituary of Lillie Belle Sanders

Lillie Belle Clouse Sanders, 95, passed away on November 17, 2021, in Keene, Texas. Lillie was born in Big Cabin, Oklahoma to Agnes Elizabeth Betcher Clouse and Clifford Powell Clouse, she was one of eight children. Lillie attended Ozark Adventist Academy and Southwestern Junior College where she met the love of her life, William Emmett Sanders. The couple married on December 21, 1947, and settled in Keene, Texas where they lived, worked, and raised their two children. She became a loyal and faithful member of Keene Adventist Church, and the local community for the duration of her life. Lillie and William shared 62 years together. She later graduated from Texas Wesleyan College in August 1959 and devoted her time outside of raising her family to being an elementary school teacher which she did for 32 years. She had a passion and found great joy in raising not only her 2 children, but nieces, nephews, and every child that had the privilege to be in her classroom. She always had an open door for every friend her children made, she loved cooking, laughing, sharing their cabin and boat on Lake Whitney, riding motorcycles, and camping trips to Colorado. She also shared her many talents including sewing, gardening, and canning with her family and friends but one of her favorite activities was Friday night “ice-cream socials,” she will always be remembered for her delicious vanilla ice-cream. She possessed a special warmth, kindness, and faith; she had the ability to always see the best in others that reminded you of all that is good and lovely in this world. She is preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, 2 sisters, and 2 brothers. She is survived by her 2 children, Diana Kirk and Billy Sanders and wife Becky; 2 brothers, one sister, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wants to express gratitude and appreciation for the warm and excellent care given to Lillie the last few years of her life by the staff at Chisolm Trail Estates, and Alpha Omega Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made in Lillie’s honor to an organization that was close to her heart, La Mision – Children’s Fund. You may contact them by email at Lamisionchildrensfund@gmail.com, or you may donate through Zelle at La Mision Children’s Fund. This fund is to provide help and opportunities for children and teenagers to attend school, provide supplies, and transportation to the schools in Baja Norte, Mexico. Lillie’s son, Billy has been an active volunteer for the past 5 years to honor his mom.