Mary Felton Hodges Sanders was born September 7, 1929 in Southern Pines, NC to the late James Felton Hodges & Ada Diggs Hodges. Mary departed this life on July 11, 2019 at Duke Regional Hospital.
She was the youngest of three sisters: Julia Covington of Brooklyn, NY and Jessie Reid (Robert) who all preceded her in death.
Mary attended school in Clayton, NC, however she gained more knowledge and life experiences outside school. She attended various churches throughout Johnston County including Sanders Grove Baptist Church and Wesley Chapel Baptist Church. She held various jobs; however her passion was fostering and nurturing children. Mary spent many years with her beloved husband of 30+ years, Leander Sanders who preceded her in death, raising children including two of their grandchildren, Tabitha Taylor (Gregg) of Raleigh, NC and Chakita Stewart of Bronx, NY. During her free time she was often found either solving a word search puzzle or fishing on someone’s pond. Mary who was affectionately known as ‘Greasy Granny’ loved her family and had her own unique way of showing her love.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Bryden Merritt, and one grandchild, Bryant Hodges. Mary leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Patricia Hodges, who tirelessly dedicated her life to taking care of her mom during her long term illness, while at the Brian Rehabilitation Center. She had one step daughter, Delphine Sanders of Bronx, NY. She leaves to cherish her memories seven grandchildren: Willis Alston, Angele’ Hodges, Nakia Hodges all of Durham, NC, Emma Boyce (Michael) of Greensboro, NC and Brandon Alston of Hollister, NC; Fifteen great grandchildren: Saqwon Torain (Awanya), Deshaun Stewart, William Hodges, Johnessia Hodges, Katrina Taylor, Makila Boyce, Shakira Stewart, Bianca Boyce, Destiny Stewart, Michael Boyce, Earvin Stewart, Caleb Mulzac, Brandon Alston and Brandon Alston Jr.; and one great grandchild, Ayden Torain: a niece, Clarietta Davis of Riverdale, GA; one nephew, Elder James T. McAllister (Barbara) of Durham, NC and a host of other relatives and friends.