Peggy Ann Sanders, 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Halifax Health Hospice in Port Orange, Florida.

P eggy was born on February 6, 1939, in Nashville Tennessee, to the late Mr. Edwin (Ed) Clarence Bess and Mrs. Ruby Florence Armstrong Bess.  She has two surviving sisters; Grace Foster and Betty Bell and one brother, James E. Bess which preceded her in death.

She is also preceded in death by her loving husband, Philip (Gene) Eugene Sanders of 61 years.  They were married on October 4, 1957, in Woodbine, Georgia.  The first forty of those years were spent in Florida where they raised their children and welcomed their grandchildren.  While in Florida, Peggy worked for many years at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University as the VA Coordinator.  The remaining years were spent in Tennessee with her loving husband until his death.

Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Cheryl Walter (Randy) and Sheila Finn; her sisters Grace Foster and Betty Bell; five grandchildren, Maggie Sterba (Robert), Heather Walter, Christopher Finn (Rian), Kelsey Finn (Billy) and Katie Finn; eight great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and their families.

Mom, you may be gone from this earth, but you will live forever in our hearts because you have given us a lifetime of memories filled with laughter, joy and happiness.  We LOVE you and we will miss you dearly, but goodbyes are not forever nor the end; it simply means we will miss you until we meet again!

The family plans to have a graveside service which will be held at Elm Springs United Methodist Church, in Church Hill, Tennessee at a later date.