yesterday's tennessee

FRANCES AGNEW SANDERS

From the obituary collection of Novella Tole

Obsequies
of
Mrs. Frances Agnew Sanders

ONE O'CLOCK IN THE AFTEBNOON
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1961
TENNESSEE A. AND I. STATE UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

OBITUARY

Frances Agnew Sanders was a native of Hale County, Greensboro, Alabama, the eleventh of thirteen children — seven boys and six girls — born to Mr. and Mrs. John Agnew. To her friends, Mrs. Sanders in respectful reminiscence often recounted the pleasures and chores shared by the large family, to which, in no small measure, she shared its obligations.

Her early training was received in the public schools of Alabama; the baccalaureate degree from Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia; the Master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City; and further study from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. In addition, Mrs. Sanders earned a Professional Diploma with certification as Supervisor and Critic Teacher in Normal Schools or Teachers Colleges from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Her educational background well prepared her for her chosen career as a teacher and an educator. Mrs. Sanders' teaching career began in the public schools of Selma, Alabama, and in succession at Selma University, Selma, Alabama; Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee; and Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State University as Head of the Department of Elementary Education, from which position she retired, May 1960. Demands for her services pressed her into continued participation in the teaching field; thus, for the past three summers she served as visiting professor at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Florida, and for the school years 1960-61 and 1961-62 until her passing as visiting professor at Allen University, Columbia, South Carolina.

Recognition of her efficiency and diligence in the service of education was rewarded by honors bestowed upon her by educational, civic, and religious organizations. She was one of the first recipients of race in the South to be selected by the General Education Board and sent to Teachers College, Columbia University to be trained in the profession of teacher education.

Having successfully pioneered Teacher Education in the State of Tennessee with specific emphasis on Elementary Education and having distinguished herself for developing the program that has promoted the system of education in schools where Negroes were taught, Mrs. Sanders was rightfully recognized by state and county officials as an authority on Education. Students trained under her guidance successfully teach in practically every state in the Union.

Educational affiliations include life member of the National Education Association, treasurer of the Tennessee Education Congress from 1950 to 1960, and a member of Middle Tennessee Teachers Association, American Teachers Association, Childhood Education International, and Zeta Chi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Society.

At an early age Mrs. Sanders affiliated herself with the church. She felt a keen and sincere obligation as a member, taking active part in various organizations and singularly belonging to the Men's Bible Class of First Baptist Church, of which she was a member. While in Columbia, South Carolina she was affiliated with the St. John Baptist Church. Mrs. Sanders was also member of the Young Women's Christian Association.

Extending further into the community, she was a member of the South Street Community Center Board, the Garden Lovers Club, and the Women's Unity League.

She was married to the Reverend F. L. Sanders, who is deceased.

She leaves to mourn her loss a sister, Mrs. B. L. Love, Greensboro, Alabama; two brothers, Wyley and Joshua Agnew also of Greensboro, Alabama; a devoted niece, Mrs. Myrtle C. James, Columbia, South Carolina; a beloved nephew, Dr. James A. Jackson, New York City; Gwendolyn C. Agnew, Muskegon, Michigan, and other loving relatives.

Her friends, including the countless numbers who knew her, realize the immortality of her spirit that shall live in the hearts and minds of those who were privileged by her association.

INTERMENT
GREENWOOD CEMETERY

WILLIAM GIJNTER AND SONS, FUNERAL DiRECTORS
IN CHARGE

HONORARY PALLBEARERS — Deacons and Trustees of First Baptist Church, Dr. A. V. Boswell, Dr. C. M. Hill, Dr. M. F. Spaulding, Dr. M. D. Williams, Mr. Napoleon Johnson, Dr. H. B. Crouch.

ACTIVE PALLBEARERS — Mr. Charles Dowdy, Mr. Leon Farbes, Mr. William H. Fort, Mr. Oscar Jackson, Mr. M. D. Neely, Mr. Grady Sherrill, Mr. Forrest Strange, Mr. J. Franklin Taylor.

 

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