Agnes Irene (Whalen) Sanders

Agnes Irene Sanders, nee Whalen, of Steelville, Missouri passed away Monday, February 17, 2025 in the Cuba Manor at the age of 96 years, 5 months and 15 days. She was born September 2, 1928 in Steelville to Earl Patrick Whalen and Charlotte Eileen (Graham) Whalen. On June 17, 1944 in Steelville, she was united in marriage to Walter “Bud” E. Sanders and to this union five children were born.

As a teen, Agnes worked as a waitress at Spare Rib Inn in Steelville. After her marriage, she worked in a Small Arms factory and a packing house in St. Louis from 1945-1946. When her parents moved to Colorado, Agnes and Bud moved also with them and this was where their first child was born. Finding work was hard to find, so they returned to Missouri where they had three more children. Agnes went to work at McDonnell Douglas in 1951 where she continued to work until 1956. She then decided to be a stay-at-home Mom. During this time, Bud was called into the ministry and Agnes became a pastor’s wife, with all the work and joy that the job entailed. She then went to work at Brown Shoe Company. In 1960, their 5th child was born and Agnes continued to work at Brown Shoe until 1966. During this time, their house burned in Steelville and the family moved to Cuba, where Bud was pastoring Delhi Baptist Church, a few miles outside of Cuba. Agnes did not enjoy living in the country so they moved into Cuba. She returned to Brown Shoe in 1968 where she worked until her retirement in 1991. During this time, Bud was called to pastor First Baptist Church of Leasburg, where he remained until 1979 and then later pastored Broadway Baptist Church in Vichy until 1990. They then spent the next few years as “snowbirds” living in Arizona for 4 months of the year. They loved it so much that they moved to AZ permanently until they returned to Missouri in 2005. After moving back to MO, Bub was interim pastor for the Courtois Baptist Church and Agnes continued to be a member there.

She enjoyed bowling for many years in Rolla, Cuba and Steelville. Agnes was Bud’s biggest supporter throughout their years together. She loved seeing all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and had many good memories.

She will be truly missed by her children, Etta Mae (Gene) Ruble of Steelville, MO, Jerry (Claudette) Sanders and Patsy Schwent all of Cuba, MO and Terry (Tina) Sanders of Wesco, MO; 10 grandchildren, Roy (Theresa) Ruble of Leasburg, MO,  Tony Ruble of Vichy, MO, Cheri (Mike) Livesay of Steelville, MO, Brandy Halbert of Elgin, TX,  Brandon Schwent of Cuba, MO,  Matthew (Cindy) Sanders of Rolla, MO,  Jeri (Matthew) Faber of St. James, MO, Elizabeth (Charlie) Brown of Salem, MO,  Cheryl (Jason) Turnbough of Gainesville, MO and Craig (Crystal) Sanders of St. Clair, MO; 30 great-grandchildren; 22 great-great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-great-grandchildren; Siblings, Patricia Whalen of Santa Monica, CA, Ellen Craig of Madison, AL and Roger Whalen of Fowler, CO; nieces, nephews; other relatives; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Charlotte Whalen;  infant son; husband, Rev. Bud Sanders; 2 grandchildren; siblings, Loretta Whalen, Earline (Roy) Young, Ernest (Evelyn) Whalen, Melba (Dudley) Offield, Danny Whalen, Garrett (Charlotte) Whalen, Raymond (Joan) Whalen, Patrick Whalen, Sue Ross and Wendell Craig; parents-in-law, William “Sam” and Iva Sanders; sisters in-law, Velita (Russell) Presley, Norena (Willard) Smith and nephew, Freddie (Merna) Smith.

The Family received friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025 with Rev. Jerry Beers, Rev. Andy Keymann and Rev. Garet Halbert officiating. Special music of " Long Black Train" and "The Light House" was sung and played on guitar by Rev. Jerry Beers. Other music of "The Holy Hills" was sung and played on piano by Joyce Miller. Memories were shared by granddaughter, Brandy Halbert.

The Funeral service was Live-streamed on Britton-Bennett Funeral Home Face-book Page.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Steelville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimers Association, St. Louis Chapter, 11433 Olde Cabin Rd.,Suite 100, St. Louis, MO  63141

The Sanders Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.                                                                                                                                                

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Agnes Irene (Whalen) Sanders, please visit our floral store.