Hazel Geraldine McClellan Sanders, 91, grew up in the Macedonia community near New Edinburg and in Washington State. She lived in several Arkansas cities as well as in Tennessee and Oklahoma.
When she and her beloved husband Rev. Dr. Cecil Sanders retired, they chose to return home to their beloved pine tree farm at New Edinburg, where they enjoyed creating countless memories with family and friends. Geraldine loved to drink her coffee and eat her toast each morning as she enjoyed her routine morning phone call with her dear cousin Rachel Jones.
Over the years, she made an immeasurable amount of “baby pancakes” for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nursed her beloved plum trees, spent countless hours canning and preparing the bounty her garden produced, made the most memorable mud pies, read millions of books, and strolled countless hours around her driveway and shady lanes, singing “Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She spent many years of her life in public education. She was a reading specialist; reading was extremely important to her. As a young girl, she assisted her father in becoming a fluent reader. She retired from the state of Arkansas and the state of Oklahoma. Being a teacher freed up her summers to spend the days caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In her parents’ later years, she spent days caring for them, which she considered one of the greatest honors. One of her fondest pastimes was attending church at Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church and driving her mule through the lanes lined by tall pines on her and Cecil's family farm.
Geraldine will forever be remembered for her chicken and dumplings she made from scratch, her laughter and smile, and her ability to call grandpa from the farthest corner of the farm with just a shout of his name in her sing-song voice that added quite a few syllables to Cecil. Most of all, she will be remembered as a true servant of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
She is also preceded by brothers Frank McClellan and Elvin McClellan and a sister Berta Mae Lassiter.
She is survived by her sons, Randy Sanders (Debbie) of New Edinburg and Ray Marvin Sanders (Michelle) of Wilburton, Okla.; her grandchildren, Rebecca Cowan (Brad), Brandi Green (Eric), Renee Robertson (Preston) and Marvin James Sanders and her great grandchildren, Abby Mae (Austin), Emily Joy, Jarrett, Ella Grace, Penelopi Raylynn, Noelle Geraldine, and Edwin Cecil Lewis and her great-great grandchild; Sadie Kate.
Chapel services were 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Frazer’s Chapel of the Chimes with Rev. Anthony Williams and Jeff McClellan officiating. Burial was in Reaves Cemetery by Frazer’s Funeral Home.
The family would like to express their sincere thank you to Mrs. Sanders caregiver's, their wonderful and dedicated assistance for her was so appreciated. They are Shirley Green, Dora Nealon, Sharlette Thomas, Katelyn Baird, Brandi Green, and Abby Saunders.
