Barbara Jean Sanders

Barbara Sanders was born on August 3rd, 1950 to the union of Lee and Bernice Fowler in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She received her formal education in the Milwaukee Public School system. Barbara is an Alumnus of Rufus King High School. She attended Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama where she studied the field of Nursing. Barbara worked for years as a Nursing Assistant and later went into the field of accounting. She assisted many businesses with their bookkeeping and eventually left to manage the family business, Lee & Sons Trailer for many years.

Barbara accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and was baptized in Jackson, Mississippi at Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church and later joined Sharon Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church with her parents and siblings. She was a faithful member of Sharon SDA Church and held a position in the church Treasury Department for years. Barbara enjoyed attending church and found peace in reading her Bible at least 3 times a day.

In 1975, Barbara was united in holy matrimony with Wardell Crutchfield. She lived a fulfilling life as a wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend. Barbara enjoyed spending time with family and made the most out of life in every way. She found joy in making everyone’s favorite dish whether it was for someone’s birthday, Father or Mother’s Day, or simply just because. Young and older women would call Barbara for instructions on how to make her famous mac-n-cheese, her dressing, greens, cakes and pies. Everyone enjoyed her food and her kool-aid of all things. Neighborhood children would say, “Barbara’s kool-aid is better than soda.” Barbara also enjoyed traveling, playing cards and board games with her family and friends. She enjoyed completing crossword puzzle books and solving word puzzles on Wheel of Fortune.

Barbara’s house was opened to everyone she knew especially children. Barbara was known as “Mama Barb.” She was a mother not only to her own children, but also to the children in her neighborhood. Barbara’s home was a place for adults and children alike to eat great food, indulge in delicious desserts, to have fun, laugh, and create the most memorable moments. When a child was in her care, parents seemed to have no worries. Barbara was known to provide food and shelter to many young people if they were in need. Her house served as a “safehouse” for women fleeing unsafe environments. Along with the food and shelter came her words of experience, advice, and wisdom. You always felt welcomed at her house no matter the situation. Barbara did whatever she could to make other individuals burdens lighter than her own even when she did not have much for herself.

She raised her six children and five of her nieces and nephews with a limited income. They all attended private schools at Sharon Junior Academy (SJA) and Wisconsin Academy. She took care of newborns of young parents so they could continue their education or continue working without asking for anything in return.

Barbara always stayed engaged with the schools her children attended. She worked as a Secretary at SJA for several years while her children were enrolled. She oftentimes took the students, and cheerleaders from SJA to Capitol Court Mall to play arcade games and eat pizza. Barbara served as a coach to the SJA cheerleading team and assisted in sewing the team’s uniforms. Later, she engaged in her children ‘s high school as a chaperone by traveling with North Division H.S. pom pom squad, drill team, gospel and swing choir.

Barbara was a lively person with a big personality. Her favorite color was yellow, a color of warmth and as bright as her personality. She was the bond that kept her family together. She made a great impact on people. She was straight forward and loveable at the same time. Barbara was easy going, easy to talk to and a great listener. Barbara was a woman of strength, perseverance, and endurance. She was admired, loved and loving, a resilient woman, beautiful, stern, dedicated and determined, family oriented, sweet and caring. She was the epitome of what unconditional love is. She will be forever loved and never forgotten.

Barbara Sanders departed this life on January 19, 2022, with her three daughters by her side. Barbara was preceded in death by her father Lee Edward Fowler (2013), her brother Lee Fowler Jr. (2012), her brother-in-law Trolley Metcalf Sr. (2011), her mother Bernice Fowler (1998), and her brother Fowler (1997).

She leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life, her children Jesse (Jennifer) Sanders, La Cresha (Clarence) Jackson, Nyree, Alkunda, Rahmon, and Kala Sanders. Her niece Tiffany Brown whom she raised as her own daughter, and her nephews Derrick, Damonte, Lorenzo and Jordan Brown whom she raised as her sons. Her grandchildren, Destine McCottry, Ericka Johnson, Jessica, Jahsiah, Jabril and Jenesis Sanders, Nyla and Jayden Jackson, Santrica Jones, Adzendis and Shannella Johnson, LaQuinn and Skylar Sanders, Antonio Hazelwood, Da’ Jhnae Gambrell-Sanders, Essence, Rahmon Jr., Lundon, Zahriya, and Nadia Sanders, and her great- grandchildren, Te’Onna McCottry, Chelsea, Cicily and Langston McNutt, Aden Watson, and Ada Williams.

Barbara also leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life, her brothers Glenn, Andre, and Elisha Fowler, and her sisters; D. Monica Powell (William J. McDonald) of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Patricia Metcalf of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Christine Hart, and DeWonia (Bruce) Davis of Denver, Colorado, Ann Monique (Andrae) Rose of Rosenburg, Texas, and Melissa Fowler of New Caney, Texas; her sister-in-law Kathy Fowler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.