Clois Laverne Hibbetts Sanders

Sanders, Clois Laverne Hibbetts On May 17, 2014, a beautiful light went out in Albuquerque. That’s the day Clois Laverne Sanders, 91, went to her heavenly home. Clois was born in Winters, Texas to James Marshall and Mary Eber “Mollie” Virden Hibbetts on November 10, 1922. She was their third child. She graduated from Robstown High School. Clois and Maynard “Lucky” Sanders were married at First United Methodist Church, Corpus Christi, Texas on November 26, 1943. While Lucky was in the Marine Corps, the Sanders family made their home in Corpus Christi, Texas, where their first son, Jim, was born. After Lucky’s discharge the family moved to Lewiston, Idaho where son, Jerry, was born. In 1948, the Sanders family moved to Albuquerque. During Lucky’s employment, the family made their home in Killeen, Texas, then to Williamsburg, Virginia where sons, John and Joe, were born and then to Spokane, Washington. In 1959, the family moved back to Albuquerque where Clois lived out her life. Mrs. Sanders is survived by her sons: James Sanders of Denver, Colorado, John Sanders and wife, Wanda of Dumas, Texas, and Joe Sanders and wife, Jude of Littleton, Colorado; grandchildren Keith Sanders of Denver, Colorado, Jeremy Sanders and wife, Ashley of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Aaron Sanders of Albuquerque, Ryan Sanders and wife, Heather of Carrollton, Texas, Jordan Sanders of Abilene, Texas and Brenda Parsons and husband, Josh of Littleton, Colorado; eight great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard “Lucky” Sanders; sons Jerry Sanders; her parents, James Marshall and Mary Eber “Mollie” Virden Hibbetts; brothers, Jim Hibbetts and Joseph Clinton Hibbetts. She was a longtime member at St. John’s United Methodist Church. She and Lucky Sanders were active in the United Methodist Conference as alternate delegates. Clois was active in the United Methodist Women, having served in the many capacities of service. In October 1980, she was elected to President of the United Methodist Women’s New Mexico Conference. In 1984, Clois served as a delegate to the Jurisdictional conference and helped elect the new bishops. She was active in the Adult Choir, as well as many ensemble groups. A highlight of her life was singing with the choir at Carnegie Hall. She played in many bridge groups until just a few years ago. Clois lived by Philippians 4:13 which says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” This is Paul’s letter to the Philippians. She loved music all her life and made all her sons take piano and other music lessons, whether they wanted to or not. All of her sons loved music and two of them became very good musicians. She loved playing bridge, traveling and adored all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved talking to each one and being involved in their lives. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Lomas. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 23, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona SE. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s United Methodist Church or Manzano Del Sol, 5201 Roma NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87108. The family wishes to thank Manzano Del Sol and AmberCare for their love and care of Clois during her years at Manzano Del Sol.