Christine D. Harper Sanders was the first-born and a Christmas blessing to Sanford A. and Mrytice Rance Harper, on December 26, 1935, in Ozark, (Klondyke Community) Al. She returned to her Creator at the age of 88, on Friday evening, December 20, 2024, with her devoted niece Timeka; nephew, Sandy Harper; cousin Tauheed Abdullah, and family friend, Destiny, at her side.

She was also the first and "very spoiled" grandchild of her maternal grandparents Eddie and Alvin Hollinger Rance. Her paternal grandparents were Isaac ("Ike") and Mary Harper. She enjoyed a happy and carefree childhood and adolescence in Klondyke with her aunt-sister, Ruby L. Rance (Flowers) who was just four years her senior. Less than two years later, her only brother Sanford Eugene was born and eight years later her last sibling Mary Alvin was born. She was blessed to share her early life with a wide range of cousins from both her maternal and paternal side of her family. Her brother Eugene, who was well-known for his mischievous and fun-loving behavior, nicknamed her "bug."

She joined Friendship A.M.E. at an early age and remained active with the church until she moved away. As was the common Christian practice in rural Klondyke, she also attended its sister church--Union Grove Baptist. Christine attended the Klondyke (Rosenwald) School before it closed but graduated from D.A. Smith School in 1952. Many cousins have shared stories of how they "had to" play school with her and sit in a circle as she read to them. She followed her dream (to the mixed delight of her Klondyke 1st cousins) to become a schoolteacher and attended Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL. She earned both a Bachelor's and Master' Degree in Education from Alabama State University. Her teaching career began at Rosenwald School, Newville, AL, and after marriage, she taught at Calhoun & Ft. Deposit Elementary Schools and retired from the Lowndes County School System in 1990.

In June 1963 she married Johnny O. Sanders, and moved to Hope Hull, AL. She joined Mt. Sinai Baptist Church and remained an active member until she relocated to her hometown and community after the death of her husband. She rejoined Friendship A.M.E. Church and faithfully served in many capacities as needed.

Christine was an active member of the Dale County Retired Teachers Association, the Missionary Society, the Ozark/Dale County Garden Club. She was an outstanding cook and known for her cakes. Family dinners were not complete without her butternut and pound cakes. She also loved to clean, clean and clean things, whether they needed it or not (LOL). She loved reading (front page to last page) the Montgomery Advertiser, Southern Star and Dothan Eagle newspapers, and an avid lover of crossword puzzles and find-a-word booklets. She had a good and kind heart and would help family members, friends or others with whatever means she had when and if they needed help. She also shared her mother's sense of humor.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny O. Sanders; her parents, Myrtice & Sanford Harper; and her younger siblings who she dearly loved--brother, Sanford Eugene Harper(2004), and her beloved sister, Mary Alvin H. Sanders (2024)

She is survived by a loving niece and devoted caregiver, Timeka K. Sanders; nephews, Sanford "Sandy" E. Harper II, Randall "Randy" S. Harper; niece, Sabrina Harper, and Tonya Sanders. Her in-laws include Odahlia Rance, Rev. Maggie Payne, and Carolyn Harper, and stepdaughter, Mary E. Jackson.

She is also fondly remembered by her many 1st and 2nd cousins, especially from Klondyke (Altha "Beck" and Alton Newman, A. Lydell Flowers, Rosalind Flowers Binion, Debbie Russell Johnson, A. Jean Russell Tate, Tauheed Abdullah, Joseph Newman, and Leola H. Brown that revered her as a positive role model and ideal cousin. Other relatives include several cousins, nieces , nephews, and friends who visited and helped out when needed during her illness; her fellow church members and friends from the Pinckard Circuit Churches (St. Mark, Newton and Bethel, Pinckard), and Union Grove Baptist Church.

Our prayer is that our dearly loved-one, Christine D. Harper Sanders, will rest in eternal peace with her Lord and Savior.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirt" Psalms 34.18