Doris O’Banion Sanders passed peacefully at her home, with her children by her side on Friday, September 10, 2021. Doris was born on November 14, 1933 in Kilgore, Texas to Charlie and Mildred Stewart. She was the first of four children and moved to Highlands, Texas as a young girl. She attended Highlands Elementary, Baytown Junior High, and Robert E. Lee High School. She was a proud member of the renowned REL Brigadiers and the Class of 1952. Doris married Bert O’Banion and was a homemaker for almost twenty years while she raised three children- David, Carol and Paul. She was very active in their school, church, and extracurricular activities. Doris attended Lee College where she earned her Cosmetology degree and, later, studied Business.
Doris worked for the Credit Bureau of Greater Houston in accounting. She then found her place at the Baytown Sun as an Advertising Representative. With her love for conversation, she became friends with many of the local business owners and remained friends long after retirement.
Doris married James Sanders in 1971 and together they enjoyed motorcycling, snow skiing, and traveling. One of Doris’ greatest joys was being a Granny to her two grandsons- Weldon and Joshua. Whether cooking, gardening, or shopping- their times together were full of love and laughter.
Doris loved antiquing, cooking, restaurant critiquing and books. She was an avid reader, a true Texan, and was articulate in most any subject. She loved nature, especially birds, and collected them in many art forms. Her favorite thing was to spend time with her family. She loved a good grilled steak and knew her son’s were the best. Her many weekends spent with her daughter were treasured times of shopping, eating, and laughing- of sharing their special mother/daughter bond. She enjoyed beach weekends with the family, traveling to see her ‘great’ grands, and visiting her grandson at SFA.
Doris was a founding member of Northside Baptist Church in Highlands and shared her love for God there and at many other churches throughout her life. She was a member of the Highlands Book Review Club and enjoyed the club and the friends there for many years. She was a member of Prime Timers at St. Mark’s Methodist and enjoyed the monthly Bingo games and other outings. She enjoyed times spent with the Dupont Retirement Club as well as her time with The Rebekahs.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mildred Stewart; her husbands, Bert O’Banion and James Sanders; her son, Paul Stephen O’Banion; and her nephew, Scott Earl Courtney.
She is survived by her brothers/wives: Mike and Jackie Stewart, Harry and Nancy Stewart; her sister, Barbara Stewart; her son and daughter-in-law David and Becky O’Banion; her daughter and son-in-law Carol and Rick Harrison; grandsons, Weldon and Sarah Stutes, and Joshua O’Banion; great grandchildren, Jaden, Esther, Corbie, and Nico Stutes. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and her four-legged family members Ned, Coco and OB-1.
The family would like to thank Doris’ neighbor, Angelina, and her caregivers, Angela, Brenda, and Debby for their love, care, and support.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at Sterling-White Funeral Home, 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Rd. Highlands, on Thursday evening September 16, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Services will be held in Sterling-White Funeral Home on Friday afternoon September 17, 2021 at 1 p.m. with Joe Magnum officiating. Pallbearers will be Weldon Stutes, Joshua O’Banion, Larry Allen, Mike Stewart, Rusty Mayfield, and Lloyd Farmer. Honorary pallbearers will include Wayne Cooper, Darrell Stewart, and Jaden Stutes.
For the safety of all, the family respectfully request that masks be worn inside.
The service will be live streamed for those unable to attend.
Interment will be in Sterling-White Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Sterling-White Funeral Home 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Rd. Highlands, Texas 77562. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.sterlingwhite.com.