Jo Ann Sanders

JoAnn Sanders, age 88, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, received her heavenly crown on February 6th, peacefully at her daughter’s home, surrounded by her loving family. In her final days, she gave praise and thanks to the Lord, eagerly awaiting His comforting presence to ease her earthly ailments.

JoAnn was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was born and raised in Polk County, Tennessee, and attended College Hill School in Cleveland, TN. She later continued her education at Grady School of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia, Chattanooga State Community College, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

JoAnn worked briefly at McKee Foods and part-time with Life Care Centers of America. Her true calling, however, was in education. She served faithfully as an educator with the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton Board of Education where she inspired countless young minds before retiring after thirty years of dedicated service.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Zadok and Lula Mae Westfield; husband, Hackett Sanders; brothers Edward, Zadok II, and James Paul; sisters Thelma Shaw and Sallie Goode; aunts Willie Gene Johnson, Hazel Ramsey, and Evelyn King; uncle Denver Westfield and several other uncles; son-in-law Ernest Nance; and grandson Dale Edwards. Brother-in-law, Joseph Sanders, sisters-in-laws, Joyce Sanders, Juanita Watson, and Cardia Goshen, father and mother-in-law, Howard and Leola Sanders.

She is survived by her sons Hackett Anderson Sanders of Harrison, TN, Anthony Sanders (special friend Kim Hinton, of Chattanooga, TN), and Aaron Sanders of Worthington, IN. Daughters Angela “Ann” Edwards, Ada Nance, and Angela (Kevin) Sanders, all of Ooltewah, TN.

Her cherished grandchildren include Ashly (Tim) Beasley of Ooltewah, William (Shelby) Sanders, Chelsea (Jaruis) Robinson of Atlanta, Rachel Johnson of Chattanooga, Jaidha and Aden Sanders of Ooltewah, Keisha White of Oklahoma, Jessica White of Cleveland, TN, Africa Humphrey (Rodney), Drew Edwards, Uris

(Tosha) Young of Chattanooga, and Amber Edwards of Atlanta, Diamond and Jason Slay of Hartford, Conn. She is also blessed with twenty great-grandchildren.

JoAnn leaves to cherish her memory her brothers Tony Westfield of Chicago, Luther Westfield of Phoenix Arizona, Nathan (Brenda) Westfield and Anderson (Jackie) Westfield all of Cleveland TN, Lloyd (Laura) Westfield of Germany, and her aunt Mattie Gene Roberts of Cleveland, TN. Brother-in-law, Marvin Sanders and sister-in-law, Carolyn Shelton.

JoAnn’s memory will also be lovingly carried on by her special nieces Sharon Goode and Jolynn Sanders, her former daughter-in-law Tonaya Scruggs Kelsey of Chattanooga, and a host of cousins, extended family, and friends.

JoAnn was a proud supporter of Wildwood Church of God of Prophecy, Fields Chapel A.M.E Zion, and The Ooltewah Church of God. Her life was a testament to faith, love, and devotion — a legacy that will live on in all who knew and loved her.

Home Going Celebration service will be held Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Ooltewah Church of God with Pastor Willard Griffin officiating. The family will receive friends thirty minutes before the service at the church from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. Visitation by friends will also be held Saturday, February 14, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at M.D. Dotson and Sons Funeral Home – Cleveland, TN.

Interment will follow the service at Fort Hill Cemetery.