Read Janis "Jan" Sanders's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Janis "Jan" Sanders

Charlottesville, VA

1933 - April 12, 2021

1933 - Apr 12, 2021

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Janis (Jan) Sanders, 87, formerly of Herndon, VA, died peacefully at her Charlottesville residence on Monday, April 12, 2021.

Jan was born and grew up in a small town near Norman, Oklahoma. She graduated from OU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

She married a fellow Boomer Sooner, Mac Sanders, and began her life as a US Army wife, shepherded her three children across the country and globe, including Wichita, KS; Frankfurt, Germany; El Paso, TX; Gardner Springs, MO; Ft. Sill, OK; Canton, NY; Ft. Leavenworth, KS; Camberly in Surrey, England; Lawton, OK; Ft. Hood, TX and finally to Northern Virginia. She lived for over half her life there until her move to Charlottesville, VA in 2019.

While she focused on creating a stable and loving environment for her children amidst all the moves, she also exercised her artistic ability in many creative ways. As soon as her kids were in HS, she began a career in Graphic Design support at EDS (Electronic Data Systems) in Herndon and CSC (Computer Sciences Corporation) in Falls Church. She became graphic support and wore many hats on staff at McLean Bible Church with Access Ministries, loving her time helping kids with special needs and their parents. She also frequently volunteered with Friendship Club and Jill’s House.

Jan was also a devoted grandmother, officially dubbed “Nana JinJan” and “Grandma.” As her three grandsons grew up, she grew spiritually and became a student of the Bible, attending several women's Bible Studies and joining McLean Bible Church. She developed many lifelong friendships with other women of faith similarly impacted by divorce.

Jan recently moved to be closer to her Charlottesville family, where she dove right in and made new friends at The Independence and in her Sunday school class at First Baptist Church.

Jan will be remembered by all who knew her for her kindness, generosity, easy laugh, and openness to others. She will be especially missed by her son, Steve (Cathy) Sanders; daughter, Kathy (Carl) Burleson; daughter, Carol Sanders; sister, Jerry McIntosh; brother, Jack Cowan; her many nieces and nephews, and her grandchildren, JB (Katie) Burleson, Ryan Sanders, and Will Burleson.

A celebration of her life will be held at McLean Bible Church Prince William campus on Friday, May 21st at 3 pm. (In light of covid restrictions, please let a family member know if you plan to attend.)

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Jill’s House or Young Life.

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