Obituary of Elizabeth Creech Sanders

Elizabeth Creech Sanders “Lib”, born May 17, 1928 in Barnwell, South Carolina, died Monday, August 5, 2019. A child of the great depression, Elizabeth Creech Sanders was perpetually happy with every joy life offered. Lib had a graceful way of bringing others along to find humor, love, and light in the moments in life that others may deem ordinary. She was a quiet, but devoted Christian who lived her life with God and family as her cornerstones.

One of thirteen children, Lib was raised in Barnwell, South Carolina to hardworking parents who taught the value of family and finding joy in simplicity. Lib loved her Barnwell life, and for most of her lifetime traveled back to Barnwell frequently – whether living in Kentucky, Virginia, or her final home Columbia, SC - to connect with her family there. She treasured family reunions and could talk on the phone to her siblings for hours on end.

Lib was a worker, though you would never suspect if you knew her. As a young mother, Lib raised her three children while working in a grocery store while her husband fought in World War II and The Korean War. For most of her life, she made three meals a day, at times using the produce from her husband’s garden. She could make chicken-and-dumplings and macaroni-and-cheese that would bring her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren running home to her.

Lib was a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother, making crafts with and for them, and loving each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild for the unique gifts they each brought to the world. She formed bonds with each baby at a young age, each bond different than the next, creating a special relationship with each child.

Her marriage to David was one to admire. They supported each other through wars, sickness, joyful moments, and normalcy. They traveled throughout the US, Europe, and Asia together, thankful for the life they’d created. Lib lovingly and gracefully took care of the love of her life during his battle with cancer and during his last moments with her here.

She is predeceased by her devoted husband of 52 years, David William Sanders; and her loving son, Richard David Sanders. Surviving are her children, Ethel Sanders Weeks and Linda Sanders Davis; her grandchildren, April Michelle Benson (Trey Benson), Amy Hook, Elizabeth Sanders and Shannon Ney (Michael Ney); her great-grandchildren, Brittany Gamble, Marisa Benson and Rachel Benson.

Services will be held at Thompson Funeral Home in West Columbia, SC on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 11am, followed by graveside services at Celestial Memorial Gardens on Delree Street in West Columbia. The family will receive visitors at 10am prior to the services at Thompson.