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Mary Alice Sanders, 87, died peacefully in her home, as she wanted, Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Mary Alice was born December 16, 1938, her mother's birthday.
Mary Alice grew up with her grandmother, Virgie Ledman, until the age of 5, since her parents were involved in the war effort. Following the war, her parents purchased a farm in the Herring area of Preston County. There she attended the Long Hollow School, a one-room school.
Mary Alice loved reading. She attended Kingwood High School. She participated in band and served as a flag twirler. Mary Alice represented her school as a Buckwheat Festival Princess in 1955. She was a proud graduate of the Class of 1956.
During her children's school years, she was a member and past president of the Rowlesburg PTA. During that time, she helped organize the annual Rowlesburg Alumni Dance.
She worked in the medical office of Dr. Jerome Arnett and later the Preston Memorial Hospital. Mary Alice served on the Board of Directors for Preston Memorial Hospital for several terms.
Mary enjoyed many dear friendships from her time in bowling leagues, playing cards, dancing, the gang at the pool, and the Red Hat Society. She was a 50-year member of the Rowlesburg Chapter Order of the Eastern Star #127. She was a past Worthy Matron and served as the Grand Representative Texas in West Virginia. Some of her fondest memories were of attending WV Grand Chapter, where she served as page and escort for multiple Grand Officers.
She attended the Christ United Methodist and the Laurel Mountain Community Church.
Mary Alice is survived by three children: daughters, Kathy Tasker and husband Barney of Kingwood, Kelly Roberts and husband Lloyd of Belpre, Ohio; and son, Richard Sanders and wife Kelley of Williamstown; six grandchildren, Brandon Pyles and wife Penny of Rowlesburg, Andrea Taylor and husband Judd of Arthurdale, Jennifer Forman and husband Jared Forman of Bridgeport, David Roberts of Tysons Corner, Va., Brian Roberts of Alexandria, Va., and Blake Van Kirk of Pittsburgh, Pa.; along with three great- grandchildren, Cameron Pyles, Levi Forman and Luca Forman.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Jasper S. "Jack" Sanders; parents, Shirley and Howard Liston, Archie Wolfe; her brother, Fred Liston; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ray and Daisy Sanders; brothers- in-law and sisters-in-law, Sam and Emmalee Sanders, Robert and Wanda Joyce Pyles, Glenda and Keith Gabel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kingwood Public Library, in memory of Mary Alice Sanders, 205 W. Main Street, Kingwood, WV 26537.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, September 20, at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 17936 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Kingwood, with Pastor Kevin Keplinger officiating.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kingwoodfuneralhomewv.com. Kingwood Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sanders family.