Obituary

Vendell Sanders peacefully passed away on January 10th, 2026. She was born in Vian, Oklahoma on January 7th, 1946. She was born to Mildred Young, father unknown. Vendell had three siblings, Verdell Young, her twin, a sister, Louise Young, and a brother, Otis Young. She moved to Tulsa, where she grew up with her siblings. She would go on to have five children: Barbara King, Lawrence Vann, Carolyn Vann Edwards, Donnell Vann, and Nathan Sanders. Vendell Sanders met Billy Sanders, and they were married for over 30 years until his death in 2021. She was a supervisor at the Mayo Hotel, Hilton, and Ramada Inn until her retirement.

She was the matriarch of the family, a woman of unwavering strength, love, kindness, and a person who gave good advice. She endured many losses, losing her husband in 2021, a son in 2023, and another son in 2024; throughout it all, she was courageous. She will be deeply and forever missed.

Preceding her in death, her mother, Mildred Young; her husband, Billy Sanders; her son, Donnell Vann; her son, Lawrence Vann; and her sister, Louise Young.

She leaves to cherish her memory daughter, Barbara King (Tony), daughter, Carolyn Vann Edwards and Winford, Nathan Sanders, and her 16 grandchildren: Carlos Vann, Evanula Vann Garcia (Augustin), Danyella King, Joseph Vann, Joshua Vann, Olicia Vann, Kynnedi Doss, Kaden Doss, Kealya Doss, Xzavier Doss, Carmella Vann, CJ Vann, Peter Lee, Gabby Garcia, Nayona Doss, Whitney Brown, and Justin Brown, along with a host of extended relatives and friends.

Viewing

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

2:00 – 5:00 PM

Butler-Stumpff & Dyer

 2103 E 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 74104

Graveside Service

Thursday, January 22, 2026

10:30 AM

Green Acres Memorial Gardens

12410 N Yale Ave, Skiatook, OK 74070