Obituary of Frances Earle Halford Sanders

Frances Earle Halford Sanders COLUMBIA - A memorial service for Frances E. Halford Sanders, 88, of Columbia, will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, Dec 29, 2016 at Centennial A.R.P. Church, 1413 Laurel St., Columbia, SC, 29201. The family will greet friends following the memorial service at the family home in Columbia. Woodridge Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the family. Frances Sanders was born September 13th, 1928 in Columbia's Baptist Hospital. She was the daughter of Dr. James G. and Annie Crouch Halford of Johnston. She grew up in Johnston, SC and graduated from Johnston High School. Frances graduated from Converse College in 1949, with a BA in History & Speech. She also received her Master's degree in Special Education & Counseling from Clemson University and The University of South Carolina. Frances was a member of, and served as a Deacon of Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches in Greenwood and Columbia, SC. She was also a member of the Palmetto Players drama club. In 2005, she was awarded the "Mae Kilgore Spirit Award" for her participation in the Converse community. Frances touched the lives of many people with her work and dedication to children and adults with special needs. She worked with the Greenwood Association for Retarded Citizens, Camp Sunshine and Special Olympics. The city of Greenwood's first Special Olympics was dedicated to Mrs. Sanders. She was a co-founder of Camp Joy, a Christian-based camp for special needs children and adults. The camp continues to thrive 35 years later. She also worked at Carolina Children's Home in Columbia as a volunteer coordinator. She helped many children transition from institutional living to the real world. She loved to help volunteers and counselors realize how important it was to use their time and talents to help others, as the Lord has instructed us to do. Frances is survived by her husband of 60 years, Charles R. Sanders Jr. of Columbia. Also surviving are her daughter, Francie Perdue of Columbia; son, Charlie Sanders (Tonya) of Powdersville; son, Jamie Sanders (TJ) of Summerville; granddaughters, Shannon Solis, Kayla Titus, Sophia Sanders, Emma Sanders and Anna Sanders; great-grandchildren, Whitney, Joseph and Jenna. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Centennial ARP Church or Camp Joy, in care of Bonclarken Conference Center, 500 Pine Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731.