Annie Mae Cleghorn Sanders, 95, of Hixson, Tennessee left this earth to be with the Lord on June 6, 2023.

Annie Mae was born to Earl and Martha Cleghorn nearly a century ago, on December 16, 1927, in Walker County, Georgia. She graduated from Westside High School, where she was a skilled basketball and softball player, then received a degree from Herrin Business School.

Annie spent almost exactly 1/3 of her life working at Moore and King Pharmacy. At her retirement party, tears, hugs, and laughter were shared by customers and colleagues who were going to dearly miss her contagious smile, along with her family who was excited to spend more time with her. It was a beautiful testament to how much everyone loved Annie, and she loved them just as much.

She was a charter member of Memorial Baptist Church (The Gathering) of Hixson and served as their first financial secretary. After leaving there she found a new home at Oakwood Baptist Church of Chattanooga where the pastor and her church family meant the world to her. She sang beautifully in the choir and was devoted to serving the Lord and her community in any way that she was able to.

Annie was a faithful prayer warrior and a trusted friend. If you needed someone to pray for you, all you had to do was call Mamaw Annie Mae. Not only would she pray for you, she would also listen, counsel, and make sure you knew that she cared.

Born right before the start of the Great Depression, she lived through both World Wars and the wars in Korea and Vietnam. She saw the world go from a place where having a telephone was a luxury to one where we carry one in our pockets that allows us to video chat with people we love.

Annie was a survivor. She lived through the passing of her parents, the deaths of all her siblings (sisters Lillian Allen and Marie Lasley, and brothers Henry, Troy, Newell, and Elbert Cleghorn), being struck by lightning three times, the loss of her devoted husband, Glynn Sanders, and the unthinkable loss of both of her son Calvin Stuart Sanders, and daughter Lisa Renee Rawlston.

Despite having her own trials and tribulations, Annie Mae never failed to exude unconditional love, understanding, and would sacrifice anything for those she cared about.

Annie was fortunate to spend the final days of her life being cared for by her granddaughter, Holly Walker Couch and her husband, Steve.  Along with them, she leaves behind her grandson, Ryan Billings, great-grandchildren Mia Couch, Mason Couch, Ikaya Billings, and several nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored.

Family will receive friends at Oakwood Baptist Church (4501 Bonny Oaks Dr) Monday, June 12, 2023 from 12:00pm until 3:00pm funeral service time. Graveside service will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Oakwood Baptist Church - 4501 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.