Obituary of Barbara Jean Sanders

WATERBURY- Barbara J. Sanders (BJ), was born in Wilson, NC, to the late Elsie (Sanders) Bowen and the late Willie Sanders on March 12, 1932.  She was the third oldest sibling to Joseph, William Henry, Erma Louise, Donnell, & Wardell Bowen who all preceded her in death.

BJ grew up in Rocky Mount, NC and attended Booker T. Washington High School.  After graduating from Booker T. Washington Class of 1950, she went on to further her education in Liberal Arts at Fayetteville State College (now Fayetteville University) in Fayetteville, NC.  She was a member of their choir and loved to sing Capella style.

She moved to Waterbury, CT in 1961 and started her nursing career at Waterbury Hospital and retired after 38 years of service. She loved serving and attending to her patients, Barbara also served as a hospital union delegate for Local 1199…. she was an 1199 advocate and warrior. As an active lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Church, BJ loved the Lord with all her heart. She established great relationships within the church and loved spending time with her prayer partners and the Ladies Guild.

Not only was BJ a Local 1199 union delegate, but she was also very active in the community.   She served as an office assistant at the Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries (GWIM) from 1998 – 2016. While at GWIM, BJ assisted administratively.  She believed in raising awareness and offering words of encouragement to reach out and give back to the community. She received several awards for her commitment to this mission. BJ also served for several years on the Board of Waterbury Staywell Health Center, additionally BJ volunteered at Walsh Elementary School in the Parent Liaison office to assist with needs of the children and families.  

BJ loved her family very much and is survived by 5 daughters, Dawana Edge, of Durham, NC, daughters and sons-in-law Scottie & Ray Earl of New Haven, CT, Kim & Michael Brown of Gaithersburg, MD, Jacqueline & Calvin Oliver of Clarksburg, MD, and Tracy & Legairre Radden of Waterbury, CT; 11 grandchildren, Temeka Earl (OH), Felicia Watkins Kimble (MD), Wardell Watkins (MD), Jessica Earl Esenyie (CT), Phillip Watkins, Jr. (MD), Isaiah Earl (CT), Aaron Radden(CT), Legairre Radden (CT), Isaac Earl (CT), Rachel Watkins Patton (MD), Mitchell Radden (CT) and 11 great-grandchildren.

Arrangements- Mrs. Sanders funeral service will be held 10 A.M, Saturday July 28, 2018 at The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Waterbury, 496 Chase Ave, 06704 concluding at 12 P.M. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.