Viola Sanders

Viola Cone Sanders went to be with her Lord on September 16, 2014. She was born on February 8, 1918 to Azro and Nellie Roberts Cone. Viola was a member of the Salvation Army a Graduate Corps Cadet, a member of the "Band of Love", a General's Girl Guard, a Songster and a Band's woman. She met and married Arthur Randall Sanders in Clearwater on January 15, 1938. She spent the first years of marriage as a welder in the ship yards of Jacksonville, FL (Rosie the Riveter). The couple entered The Salvation Army Training College as members of the Fearless Session and were commissioned as Officers in 1945. They were one of the first married couples admitted to the College. They spent 25 years in service in the Salvation Army, ministering all over the Southeast. Arthur and Viola served in appointments in Sumter, South Carolina; Waycross and Rome, Georgia; Dothan, Alabama and Greenville, Texas. They opened the Ft. Myers, Florida Corps in 1951, and also served in Panama City, Jacksonville and Sebring, Florida; the Property Department at Territorial Headquarters and the Atlanta Bellwood Corps. Viola was honored in November, 2001 to participate in the 50th anniversary celebration for the Ft. Myers Corps.
In her 50's, Viola worked for the City of Atlanta and then for the State of Georgia. She received many awards including "Honored Employee." She created a suggestion program allowing the state government to save thousands of dollars per year and was honored by Governor Jimmy Carter for her service. She retired from a State of Georgia, Department of Human Resources as a Management Analyst. She was an active member of the Jay Bible Study Group, Home League and faithful soldier of the Atlanta Temple Corps. She was one of the Golden Girls alongside Janell Crosby and Lillian Miller. She lived in Atlanta, GA until she was 92 when she moved to Johnstown, CO to be with her Colorado family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Azro and Nellie Cone; her husband, Arthur R. Sanders; her brothers, Ray, Sydney, Carl and Raymond Cone; her nephew, Norman Cone; and her great-grandson, Derrick Smith. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Kenny Greenman and her son Arthur R. Sanders, Jr. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Debbie Smith (Rex) Auburndale Fl, Deanna Jones (Brooks) Palm Harbor FL, Stacie Osmus (Terrell) Milliken CO, Blake Parish (Kellie) Thornton CO, Shan Vonier (Ryan) Brighton CO, and Blair Greenman, Denver CO; nine great-grandchildren: Jenny Causey (Larry), Dustin Smith (Misty), Britany McGraw, Knicole McGraw, Colton Jones, Connor Murray, AnnMarie Osmus, Cooper Osmus, Ellis Vonier and Paige Vonier and three great-great-grandchildren: Shelby Causey, Peyton Causey and Bentley Smith; and nieces and nephews. A celebration of Viola's life will be held Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Atlanta Temple Corps with Lt. Col. William Speck and Lt. Col. Gary Herndon officiating. Interment will follow at Westview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in her memory to the Salvation Army Atlanta Temple Corps, 2090 North Druid Hills Rd., Atlanta, GA. 30329. (www.atlantatemple.com) Please note donations are for World Services. The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 4, 2014 from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. at the Salvation Army Atlanta Temple Corps. A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.





Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033