The flower gardens of heaven will be more beautiful than ever with the passing of Barbara Jean Sanders (Holcomb), daughter of the late Richmond M. Holcomb and Esta M. Holcomb (Nottingham), on March 21, 2026.
She was the mother of Lelia G. Sanders (Angel) of Brunswick, GA; Gerald (Joe) B. Sanders of Indore, WV; Myra N. Fernatt (Robert) of Falling Waters, WV; Glenna L. Sanders of Bomont, WV; and her beloved kitty Sissy Girl. She was also a loving grandmother of Jason and Matthew Holcomb and Adam Sanders, as well as a loving great grandmother to Jaylyn, Tyler, Ayva, Zachary, and Emma Kate Holcomb.
She leaves behind three sisters, several nieces and nephews, and many friends. She is survived by her sisters Dorotha Vae Taylor (Mike), Retta Brown, and Judy L. Elkins (Hoye). She was preceded in death by her husband Larry Glenn Sanders; her three sisters, Avis A. Murphy, Bernice L. Brege, and Genevieve Gibson; and her brother, Roger L. Holcomb.
Jean’s greatest joys were tending to all the flowers all around her yard and planting her gardens year after year. She was always talking about flowers, collecting seeds and bulbs to share with others, and canning vegetables and fruits for her cellar and to share with anyone willing to take the extras off her hands. She loved quilting, and it made her happy making quilt tops with Ayva and Jaylyn this past summer. She never failed to feed a hungry cat that wandered up on her back porch, which is how she ended up with her beloved Sissy. She was always on the lookout for a good game of rummy. And sorry everyone, but she made the best biscuits and fried taters in Clay County. Jean was the sweetest momma anyone could ask for, and we’re so thankful that Jesus shared her with us during her time here on earth. She said to look for the mansion in heaven with the biggest flower gardens so we would know where to find her. And cats. There will be lots of cats.
Thanks so much to the staff of Hubbard Hospice House for caring for her in her final days, and especially to her home nurse Michelle who cared for her since September. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to Kanawha Hospice Care at https://www.hospicecarewv.org/make-a-donation/ or to your animal shelter of choice.
Visitation will be held at Wilson Smith Funeral Home in Clay, WV, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 pm at Holcomb Cemetery in Indore, WV, with Pastor Justin Neal officiating.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.carlwilsonfuneralhome.com
Wilson Smith Funeral Home honored to be serving the Sanders family.
