Shirley Ann Reeves Sanders

I was born on Mother's Day May 9, 1936, to Lum and Katie Reeves in Moss Point, MS. I was the youngest child by ten years and spoiled by everyone. Thus, began my journey. Kindergarten came at Charlotte Hyatt Elementary. There I met Eunice Faye, Nita, Rena, Shirley G., Peggy, Ralph, Gary, and Terry. They became my "forever friends". In Jr. high school I became a cheerleader and I grew to love football. I even played on a girl’s team along with softball and basketball. There weren't enough days to do all the things at school and in town. Moss Point was a wonderful town to grow up in the 50's. There were wiener roasts, pallet parties, swimming, and riding in a boat in the summer. And there was dancing. Everybody danced on Friday night at the community house. In high school I was elected Miss MPHS, most popular girl, most versatile girl, head cheerleader and editor of the school newspaper. At graduation I won the school spirit medal and citizenship award. I wanted to go to MS Southern but my father had been sick and there was no money. My mother called Mr. Khayat (who could always help). He took me to Perk and introduced me to Mr. J.J. Hayden who gave me a cheerleader scholarship and made me assistant to the P.E. teacher. As you can see, cheerleading was a big part of my life. It gave me many opportunities. I always said I couldn't love a place as much as I did Moss Point, but Perk ran a close second. While at Perk I was elected Miss PJC, homecoming queen, head cheerleader, and president of several clubs. Although there wasn't a lot of money, my parents and siblings saw that I had every opportunity. Nobody could have asked for a better family. In 1955 I and three of my girlfriends went to Washington D.C. to work. There was no trouble getting a job so I worked for Alcoa. I saw my first ticket-tape machine and was mesmerized by it. We did more site seeing than working. The government takes a lot of holidays! We sat on the steps of the capitol and listened to the service bands. It was a great adventure. In September we came back to Perk for our second year. At Perk I met a young man named Donald Sanders. We graduated on Thursday night and got married on Sunday. We then went to Endicott, NY for Donald to go to IBM school. He worked for them in New Orleans and then we moved back to Gulfport for Donald to work for MS Power. We had four children. Dona, Laurie, Shelly, and Kent. Donald built our house in 1962 and It was a happy time. Then in October 1966 Donald passed away. Now came the hard part of the journey. There was so much to do and so much to learn. As the years went by things got easier. The children and I had a lot of fun going places and doing things. They were especially thrilled to see Elvis Presley several times. They have grown in to wonderful, hard working, church going, kind, helpful adults. They were there to take care of their mother and are my greatest pride and joy. I worked for the Harrison County School System for 25 years. I was active in PTA, church activities at New Hope Baptist Church, and the Perk Alumni Association. At homecoming in 2016 I was inducted into the Bulldog Hall of Honor. Preceding our mother in death is her husband Donald,parents Lum and Kate Reeves, siblings Jack Reeves, Boots Baxter, and Bob Reeves. Most recently she lost her oldest child Dona Elise (Butch). Survivors are her children Laurie (David), Shelly (Sid), and Kent.Her grandchildren Ashleigh Walli, Christopher Richmond, Wil Richmond, David Montana, Jr., Katie Montana, Abraham Toncrey, Jason Rice, Ashley Rice, Elise Rice, Kristen Fox, T.J. Fox, and Kari Fox and twelve great grandchildren. Cursing Porficia. My journey is over. The family would like to thank her family at Seashore Assisted Living Facility and the staff at Canon Hospice for their love and support.In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to: MGCCC Foundation, For: Shirley Reeves Sanders, Mail checks to: MGCCC Foundation, P.O. Box 99, Perkinston, MS. 39577. The visitation will be held Saturday, March 16, 2019 from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport. There will be a private family graveside service.