Martha Sanders

Martha Graham Sanders, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished member of her community, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2024, at the age of 93. Martha was born on October 6, 1930, in Ridgeland, South Carolina, to the late Leonora Pinckney Graham and Joseph Pinckney Graham.

Martha attended Ridgeland High School and was a proud graduate of Beaufort High School. She furthered her education at Newberry College, where she cultivated a passion for learning and personal growth.

In her early years, Martha met the love of her life, Ross Macdonald Sanders, in Beaufort, South Carolina. Ross fondly recounted the tale of their first encounter, remembering Martha strolling by with her nose held high. Undeterred, Ross pursued her ardently, asking her out every day of the week until she finally relented. Their courtship blossomed into a beautiful lifelong partnership, and they were married on October 27, 1951.

Together, Martha and Ross raised a family filled with love and laughter. Their union was blessed with four children: Ross Macdonald Sanders Jr, Edward Graham Sanders, Lea Sanders Taylor, and Caroline Sanders Hatcher. Martha was a devoted mother who instilled in her children the values of kindness, integrity, and perseverance.

In addition to her roles as a wife and mother, Martha embraced the joys of grand motherhood with unmatched enthusiasm. She cherished her eleven grandchildren and took great delight in their accomplishments and milestones. Her family continued to grow with the addition of twenty-two great-grandchildren, each of whom brought immeasurable joy into her life.

Martha will be fondly remembered by her many nieces, nephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews, whose lives she touched with her kindness and warmth.

Martha was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ross Macdonald Sanders, and her great-grandson, Edward Graham Sanders III. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Mary Caroline Highsmith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made To Friends of Caroline Hospice (329 Friends Lane, Ridgeland, SC 29936) in Martha's honor, as a tribute to the compassionate care she received in her final days.

A celebration of the resurrection and thanksgiving for the life and love of Martha Sanders will be held at The Parish Church of St Helena, on Friday, May 24th at 10 am. There will be a reception following the service at Tabby Place (913 Port Republic Street Beaufort SC 29902) where family and friends will gather to honor her memory and share stories of her remarkable life.

May she rest in peace, knowing she was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.