Virginia Jones Sanders, age 93, died peacefully at home in Black Hawk, Mississippi on July 15, 2015, of congestive heart failure.

Born July 1, 1922, in Calhoun City, Mississippi, Virginia was the only child of John Russell Jones and Mable Robertson Jones, owners of J.R. Jones grocery in Black Hawk. Mr. and Mrs. Jones also served as postmaster and, later, postmistress, and are still remembered in Carroll County as persons of extraordinary compassion and generosity.

Virginia's early childhood education was at the historic Black Hawk school that still stands a quarter-mile from her home. Virginia graduated at the top of her class at J. Z. George High School in North Carrollton in 1940. When she first arrived at J. Z. George, Virginia, a stunning young woman, met a fellow student, Wilton Turner Sanders, Jr., a skinny clarinet player from North Carrollton with a dream of flying. It was love at first sight--for him! Although they became high school sweethearts, it would take a while before she would eventually marry Wilton. Virginia first would graduate from Mississippi State College for Women in 1944 with a B.S. in Home Economics. After a year teaching in Isola, she worked in Washington, D.C. as a dietician, while visiting Wilton at the U. S. Naval Academy on the weekends. On June 9, 1946, a week after he graduated from the Naval Academy, they were married in Black Hawk. Counting their courtship, they were together for more than 75 years. She was the love of his life-and he hers.

Wilton's career as a naval aviator took them around the world, from San Diego and Monterey, California to Japan, Maryland and Virginia. The couple had six children, and Virginia often had sole charge of the entire household for months at a time while Wilton was away on naval duties. Her love of Wilton and their children, and her unfailing grace are lasting gifts.

Virginia's home was always one of great hospitality, hosting gatherings of up to 25 family members at holidays. In a time where many families are dispersed, there was one constant: Christmas was to be in Black Hawk, where Virginia (known affectionately as "MaSan") and her daughters and daughters-in-law served dish after dish of holiday bounty and where conversations lasted for hours around the family's expansive dinner table.

Virginia and Wilton gave their children an extraordinary living legacy: a home marked by unconditional love and the best education each could obtain. Virginia and Wilton achieved their dreams and helped their children do the same.

As far as they traveled, Virginia made sure they were never far from Mississippi, as she, Wilton and the children made frequent visits to Black Hawk and North Carrollton. Virginia was a member of Black Hawk United Methodist Church for decades, where she faithfully attended until illness kept her away.

Survivors include her husband of 69 years, Wilton; their children, Wilton Turner Sanders, III (Sue Milch), of Madison, WI, John Russell. Sanders (Judy), of Crozet, VA, Paul Anthony Sanders (Rose Ann Sullivan), of Basalt, CO, Laurie Sanders Lee (Tom), of Nashville, TN, Ernest Duke Sanders II (Christine), of Falls Church, VA, and Susan Sanders Byrd (Pat), of Brandon, MS and nine grandchildren (John R. Sanders, Jr., James R. Sanders, Annie Laurie Sanders, Robert W. Sanders, Katherine G. Sanders, Paul H. Sanders, Virginia C. Lee, Andrew P. Byrd and Matthew C. Byrd). Mrs. Sanders was pre-deceased by her grandson, Hayden Turner Lee.

A memorial service celebrating Virginia Sanders' life will be held on August 8, 2015 at Black Hawk United Methodist Church, at 4:00 p.m. with family visitation at 3:00 at the church. The Reverend Jack Marshall will officiate and the Reverend Ricky Reece will assist.

The family wishes to extend deepest gratitude to Connie Givens and Alfreda Smith for their caring support and love of Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Black Hawk Cemetery or to a charity of your choice. Contributions may be made to Black Hawk Cemetery, c/o C. J. Robertson, 1429 CR 157, Coila Mississippi, 38923.