Josephine T. Sanders, affectionately known as “Joe or Queen Josephine”, was born June 20, 1941 in Hagood, South Carolina to the late Leroy Hickman, Sr. and Sinna Thomas Gilliard. She departed this earthly life on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, Sumter, South Carolina. Josephine was reared by her grandparents the late Sammie Richbow and Melvina Murphy Richbow. She attended the Public Schools in Sumter County and graduated from Ebenezer High School. After graduation, Josephine continued to pursue her education and attended Denmark Technical College, Sumter Area Technical College, and Francis Marion College. Sewing, crafts, shopping, planting flowers and attending the Catchall Community Center were the highlights of her hobbies. She loved spending time with her friends and going out to eat on Sundays. Josephine was a diligent worker. She worked two jobs for many years and held various positions. Her employment opportunities included B. F. Goodrich, Crescent Tools, Sumter School District, Air Cruisers Co., Roy Rogers and held a GS position in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Josephine accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of the Good Hope U.M.E. Church, Rembert, S. C. As the years advanced, Josephine joined Rafting Creek Baptist Church, where she served faithfully on the Missionary Ministry until her health declined. She initially married Sammie Taylor, Sr. and they were blessed with three children. Later, Josephine married Willie Sanders, Sr. of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Left to cherish her memory but not to forget her is her son, Rev. Sammie (Min. Michelle) Taylor, Jr.; a daughter, Rev. Carol E. Sanders; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Deacon George (Minnie) Thomas, Sr. of Dalzell, S. C., and a host of family members to include nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Josephine was preceded in death by a daughter, Helen R. Pearson; one son-in-law, Wayne E. Sanders, her grandparents, great grandparents, two brothers, Johnson Hickman and Leroy Hickman, Jr., and two sSister-in-laws. The family will receive relatives and friends at the home of her daughter, 5756 T B Wright Road, Rembert. Funeral services will be held 2:30 p. m., Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Rafting Creek Baptist Church, 3860 Highway 261 North, Rembert, with the Rev. Melvin Mack, Pastor. Wake service will be 4:00 – 5:00 p. m., Friday, April 26, 2024 in the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Home, Inc., 821 North Main Street, Sumter, S. C. The Remains will be placed in the church at 1:30 p. m. for viewing until time of the services. The funeral procession will leave the home at 2:00 p. m. Burial will be in the Rafting Creek Baptist Church Yard Cemetery.
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