Los Angeles resident Joanne Sanders passed away on Friday, Nov. 22, and now rests in the heavenly home of the Lord. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Joanne was born on February 27, 1938 in Los Angeles to the parents of Alphonso William and Addie Lois Webb. The oldest of five children, she attended Hooper Avenue Elementary, George Washington Carver Junior High School and Thomas Jefferson High School.
Joanne accepted Christ at an early age. She attended Zion Temple Community Church under the leadership of the Rev. Ralph D. Williams.
She met her sweetheart Vernell Thompson at Jefferson High School and they later united in marriage. From this union, three children were born – Mishell Thompson, Linell Thompson (who preceded her) and Darnell Thompson. Also, her grandson, Linell Thompson, preceded her in death.
After that marriage dissolved, she met and married Donald Sanders. Donald had three children – Michelle Sanders, Donald ‘Zipper” Sanders Jr. and Juan Sanders, and they became a blended family.
In 1970, Joanne joined the workforce of the United States Postal Service as a Mail Supervisor where she served with distinction for 37 years.
Joanne also loved to travel and she visited many places ranging from Paris France to Alaska, Dubai, and Hawaii. Frequently, her travel companions included her sister, Alphonsa “Jeanne” Wiggins, and her aunt, Gussie Mae Fuller.
Joanne built her dream home in Tehachapi, California where she lived for more than 15 years. During her last year, she was well taken care of at the Hope House in Los Angeles.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Mishell Thompson of Los Angeles; son, Darnell Thompson of Bakersfield, CA; grandson, Vito Hill; great granddaughter, Mila Hill; sister, Katherine “Nay Nay” Harrison of Los Angeles; aunt, Gussie Mae Fuller of Carson, CA; nieces, Karen Henry, La Nay Harrison, Naylyn Harrison and Shelly Harrison; nephew, Yusef Harrison Sr., 11 great nieces, 12 great nephews, several great great nieces and nephew, cousins, Vernell Richardson of Arlington, TX; Michael and Scarlet Beard of Fontana, CA; and Ambrose and Rosalind Beard of Los Angeles; and a host of relatives and friends.
