Cora Mae Sanders died April 28, 2023, in Purcell, Oklahoma at the age of 88 years 1 month 6 days. Graveside memorial services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, May 5, 2023, at Chappel Hill Cemetery east of Lexington, entrusted to the care of Wadley’s Funeral Service. Online condolences may be made at www.wadleysfuneralservice.com.
Cora Mae was born March 22, 1935, in Blanchard, Oklahoma to John B. and Ethel Mae (Haynes) Walker. She was raised and attended school in Lexington, graduating from Lexington High School in 1950.
She married Cardell Sanders in 1952 and spent 51 years together before Cardell passed in 2003. Cora Mae remarried later in life to Hershell “Buddy” Dodd and spent 15 years together before Buddy passed in 2021.
She operated child day cares for many years, along with driving a school bus, working as a nurse aide, and working in the kitchen at OU. Cora Mae was very active in her church and enjoyed gardening, fishing and cooking. She was a caregiver and loved spending time with and taking care of her family, especially her grandchildren.
Cora Mae was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ethel Walker; her husband, Cardell Sanders; her husband, Hershell Dodd; her son, Gary Sanders; her son, Kenneth Sanders; her grandson, Jarren Sanders; her granddaughter, Leslie Sanders; her brother, John Vernon Walker; and her brother-in-law, JW Vanderpool.
Survivors include her son, Tim Sanders; her nine grandchildren; her 13 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Charlotte Gullion and husband, James, of Lexington, Harold Walker and wife, Jimmie, of Harrah and Paulette Vanderpool of Midland, Florida; and numerous other relatives and friends.
The Sanders family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of Brookdale Assisted Living and Traditions Hospice along with Cora Mae’s granddaughter, Jasmine Patterson for their compassion and care given to Cora Mae these last years.
