Mary Elizabeth Rogers Sanderford

The earth smiled when she was born, and wept when she died. Mary Rogers  Sanderford let go of a life well lived on Tuesday evening, December 22, 2020.

The same love that created her, received her into loving arms after 96 years of selflessness as a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, neighbor, educator, and friend. 

Born July 23, 1924, Mary  was raised to see the good in everyone, demonstrated by her humble acts of kindness and respect for all life. Her deep and eternal faith guided her through all of life’s challenges. Her mind stayed alert through reading, worship, playing bridge with friends and working crossword puzzles. Her family, Ocean Isle Beach and her wider world will miss her gentle and compassionate approach to life. 

Mary  grew up in Fair Bluff, NC and married James Lyon Sanderford, her husband of 58 years in 1946.  While being a wife and mother, she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1969, the same year her son graduated from high school. She became a compassionate and dedicated teacher who inspired her students to study hard and learn, and was deeply appreciated by those who were touched by her wisdom and knowledge.

Mary was a faithful member of the Shallotte Presbyterian Church for 35 years. Her contributions to the church include working as treasurer, teaching Sunday school, being an elder, a member of the Presbyterian Women's Circles and group home leader.

Mary’s  love of her family was unconditional, yet she still  had love left over for friends and people in need. Gano, as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren affectionately called her, will be fondly remembered for the hours she sat with them, reading aloud their favorite stories.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver Montgomery Rogers and Lois Owen Rogers, and her husband James L. Sanderford.

Mary is  survived by  her son and daughter-in law Jim and Luli Sanderford of Boone, NC; her daughter, Susan Sanderford of Ocean Isle Beach; her grandchildren Dean and Jes Sanderford, their wives Kim O’Connor and Kim Reil, and her great-grandchildren, Amelia and Micah, who live in Colorado; her sister, Lois Rogers Johnson and husband James Johnson of Lumberton NC and by many wonderful nieces and nephews across the state.

Our family would like to thank all those at Arbor Landing and Lower Cape Fear Life Center  for their special care of our sweet Mother.

Her memorial service will be a family gathering at a later date. For those who wish to honor her memory in a special way, donations can be made to the Shallotte Presbyterian Church to the special music program, or to a charity of your choice. Another way to honor Gano, a loving and gifted teacher, is to take a moment and read a book with a child.

She will always be a bright light for those she left behind to cherish her loving memory.

Online condolences may be made at www.brunswickfuneralservice.com

Brunswick Funeral Service, Shallotte