Bunia Vista Sanders

Bunia Vista Sanders, a resident of Biloxi, MS, passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at her daughter’s home in Lacey, WA. She was born on May 9, 1939 in Benndale, MS to her late parents, Arthur and Ora Fairley. Bunia attended Green County High School in McClain, MS. After graduating high school, she resided in New York for four years, then relocated to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and later married the love her life, Deacon Wesby Sanders on November 13, 1963. Bunia spent her working career at Nichols Middle School, and worked as an Environmental Specialist in the homes of the Pierotich’s and the Stephens’ for over 30 years. She also managed Back Bay Mission, a ministry that meets the urgent needs of those in the community. She was a longtime member of Main Street Missionary Baptist Church in Biloxi and served the church in a number of positions, including the Mother Board, both Gospel and Sanctuary Choirs, Pastor’s Aid, Deaconess Ministry, and President of the Willing Workers. She was also a member of The Order of Eastern Star. Bunia loved the church and the church family, and was grateful for all the kindness through the years and especially the prayers. Bunia was preceded in death by her devoted husband for over 30 years, Deacon Wesby Sanders; her parents, Arthur and Ora Fairley; son, Pastor Robert Sanders; daughter Myra Flannigan; loving sister, Rose Fairley; brothers, Ernest and Arthur Fairley; and granddaughters Tandrea Coleman and Kiara G. Sanders. Bunia leaves to cherish her memory, four blessed children: Annette (Arthur) Coleman, Biloxi, MS; Deacon Kevin (Cynthia) Sanders, Urbana, IL; Minister Rita (Therinzo) Catchings, Lacey, WA; Tina Sanders, Lacey, WA; 12 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Bunia has two wonderful brothers whom she loved dearly, Minister Willie Ray (Pastor Shirley) Fairley and Paul Fairley, both of Benndale, MS; four wonderful sisters whom she loved all in a special way, Reola (Phillip) Woods, Leaster Fairley, both of Biloxi, MS; Lavern (W.O.) Mathews, Escatawpa, MS; and Cammie Fairley, Benndale, MS; one sister-in-law, Odessa Sanders, Ocean Springs, MS; two brothers-in-law, Oliver and Huey Sanders, both of Seattle, WA. Bunia loved all of her nieces, nephews, and god-children, as well as her friends. Funeral services for Bunia Sanders will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Main Street Missionary Baptist Church, 327 Main Street, Biloxi, MS, 39530 at 11:00am Professional services have been entrusted to Mills and Mills Funeral Home, Turnwater, WA and Richmond-August Funeral Home, Biloxi, MS.