Emma L. Sanders

Emma Lois (Cox) Sanders of Kirksville, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2017, at the LaPlata Nursing Home in LaPlata, MO.

The daughter of Clarence R. Cox and Ivah Alma Wright, she was born on April 29, 1931 in Pilot Knob, MO. Emma attended Ironton Public Schools and graduated with the Class of 1949. On August 6, 1949 in Ironton, MO she was united in marriage with Clarence F. Shelton and one son, Gary Edwin Shelton, was born. On June 13, 1970 in Kirksville, MO she was united in marriage with Kermit Sanders, who was the love of her life.

Emma is survived by her grandchildren, Kelly Shelton of St. Louis, MO, Kyle Shelton of Lawrenceville, GA and Kimbra Shelton of Kirksville, MO; one son, Daniel Sanders and wife, Colleen of Columbia, MO; four other grandchildren, Wendy Sanders, Amy Mick, Scott Quint and Brian Quint; seven great-grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Jill Shelton and Vicky Shelton; special nieces, Mary Racer and family and Sue Riefle and family, along with many other nieces, nephews and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Gary; husband, Kermit; five brothers, Leon Cox, Clarence Junior Cox, Ray Cox, Gale Cox and Bill Cox; two sisters, Dorothy Racer and Margaret Becker; grandparents; several aunts, uncles and a nephew, William (Bill) Cox.

After graduation from high school in 1949, Emma was employed at Black River Electric until June, 1967. Emma later went to work for Southwestern Bell, County Clerk, Max Patterson, City of Kirksville and JC Penney.

At an early age, Emma was baptized into Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Pilot Knob, MO. After moving to Fredericktown, because of her job, she became a member of the Fredericktown Baptist Church. After moving to Kirksville in 1968 with Southwestern Bell, she was baptized into Greentop Baptist Church. She transferred into the First Baptist Church in Kirksville after the deaths of Gary and Kermit. Emma served as President of Koinonia Sunday School class for several years. Emma loved to sing hymns and sang with the Senior Songsters in the Kirksville area. She later transferred to the Hamilton Street Baptist Church in Kirksville.

Emma took so much pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always known as the grandma that would have an endless supply of cookies or candy. She will be missed dearly by all that knew her.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 30, 2017, at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Chapel. Music will be provided by Dick and Norma Bell. Selections will be “Further Along”, “Amazing Grace” and “No Tears In Heaven”. Burial will be in the Mulberry Cemetery, northwest of Kirksville, MO.

Pallbearers will be Kyle Shelton, Scott Quint, Brian Quint, Tom Western, Jim Baumgartner and Basil Walker.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 Wednesday evening, March 29, 2017, at the

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home

2100 E. Shepherd Ave.

Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233