Marilyn Kay Sanders

Marilyn Kay Sanders, 75, of Centralia passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025. She was born on April 21, 1949, the daughter of James and Thelma (Gwaltney) Phillips in Breese. On March 30, 1968, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Eugene Sanders and he preceded her in death on March 21, 2023.

She was a loving mother to her two children that survive her, Marsha Wilson, and Timothy Sanders and wife Rosa. Marilyn was a proud grandma to her cherished grandchildren, Charles and Roberta Wilson, Sarah Ross, Matthew Edward Sanders, and his mother Tracy Sanders. A supportive sibling to her brother, Gary Phillips and wife Dolores, and sister-in-law, Loretta Phillips. She loved her bonus family, Jeff Dehn and her grandchildren, Zoe, Ethan and Devin and her great-grandchildren, Liam and Kimberly.

Along with her beloved husband of 55 years, Robert Sanders, Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; uncle, Delbert Gwaltney; brother, Larry Phillips; and her sister, Joan Nix.

Marilyn has called Centralia her home since 1966. She showed her love and support for her community in various ways, with the love and light of Jesus leading the way. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church, now Crossroads Church in Centralia, and had a church family at the Apostolic Church in Centralia. She loved to lift up praises and share her beautiful singing voice in the choir. Marilyn also served her church family by sharing her love of the study of God’s word while leading her Sunday school class, and being a encouraging member of her Sunbeams class. She knew the importance of sharing the gospel and was grateful to oversee missions for the church and connecting with others through sign language at the church.

Marilyn worked for Miss Elaine’s in Centralia, where she was a garment seamstress and was truly appreciated and well-liked by all her co-workers. She continued to sew all her life and could be found sewing with her headphones on listening to her favorite songs by the Backstreet Boys, and Celine Dion.  Marilyn worked at Central Supply and was a sterile technician. She received both her LPN and RN degrees from Rend Lake College, graduating from the RN program in 1987. Marilyn had compassion for all and as a natural care giver was in the perfect profession. She worked at Fireside in Centralia as an LPN, later going to St. Mary’s Hospital where she worked as an RN until she retired. Every grateful patient she cared for, Her nurse’s instinct flowed into the lives of everyone around her as she loved, supported and was a solid rock for family and friends.

Marilyn enjoyed spending time outside working in her flower and vegetable garden, making sure to can all the fresh flavors of summer. She was talented with hand crafts, and made beautiful pieces while knitting, quilting, and embroidering. Marilyn loved to travel and experience new destinations, marveling at the beauty of each place she visited. She was passionate about politics and really researched each politician. Quiet times found her reading Amish mysteries, playing Mahjong, and doing word searches. As a true matriarch, Marilyn was a wonderful example of perseverance, quiet confidence and grace. She was loved deeply by her grandchildren and was a “Grandma” and ”Mom” to so many, treating everyone as family. She would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need and this generosity will never be forgotten. Marilyn was dearly loved and will be deeply missed, but the knowledge of the celebration she is now having in Heaven where she is now filled with joy and perfect peace will bring comfort in the midst of heartbreak.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with Pastor John Urshan officiating. Interment will follow at Gilead Cemetery in Centralia, where she will find her final resting place next to her husband. Relatives and friends are welcome to a visitation time from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday at the funeral home in Centralia. Memorials may be made in Marilyn’s honor to the American Heart Association. Online condolences and memories of Marilyn may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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