“I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give at that day:  and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”  II Timothy 4:7-8

Olevia Hillard Sanders was born on July 5, 1927 to Judge Hillard and Charlotte Brown in Natchez, Mississippi. She departed this life at her home surround by her loving family on June 18, 2022, at the age of 94. Olevia was the eighth of nine children and the baby girl of the family. She was always very active in the church and at an early age she gave her life to Christ and was baptized at the age of 12.

Olevia married Steve Sanders in 1942 and became a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Scotland near Vidalia, Louisiana. They had nine children, and moved the family to DeRidder, Louisiana in 1968 to be closer to her siblings, William Hillard and Cora Hadnott, after the passing of their mother Charlotte.

Olevia became a member of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church of DeRidder in 1969, where she remained a faithful church member under the leadership of Pastor Louis Guy until her passing. Olevia was active in the Church Mission, taught Sunday school, and was one of the oldest “mothers” of her church. She was a child of God, and enjoyed worshiping at other churches just as much as her own.

Olevia completed the ninth grade, but later went back to school and obtained her GED. Olevia worked hard on several jobs to provide for her family before retiring after 20 years from Beauregard Memorial Hospital as a Patient Escort. She was active in the community and served as a special board member for the Beauregard Community Action Association for 10 years.

Olevia loved her family, especially her grandchildren. Her caring nature always extended beyond family to friends, and others in the community. She also loved cooking and baking. Everyone loved her scratch pancakes, sweet potato pies, and rum cakes.  She loved reading books, the local newspapers, and she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. In her later years, she enjoyed watching her favorite TV show Judge Judy.

She was preceded in death by her parents Judge and Charlotte, son (David), husband (Steve, Sr.), siblings (Alphonso, Patsy, Ethel, Judge III, William, Israel, Cora, and Louis), niece (Oster Lee Griffin), grandson (Makau Crawford), and great-grandsons (Travon Bickham and Kenard Brooks).

Those left to cherish her memory are her children; Esther Mae Sanders, JC (Ida) Sanders, Doris (Booker, Sr.) Coleman, Emmett (Vanilla) Sanders, Buddy (Ollie) Sanders, Willie Mae (Edward) Mazion, Steve (Alesia) Sanders, Jr., Michael (Bridget) Sanders, 18 grandkids, 23 great-grandkids, 5 great-great grandkids, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, church members, and wonderful friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday 24, June 2022. Visitation will be held at 9:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM, at Norris Memorial COGIC, located at 501 E. North Street, Deridder, Louisiana. Pastor Louis Guy will officiate the service.