Dessie Bee Sanders

AUGUST 4, 1930 – MARCH 26, 2023

Dessie Bee Sanders, age 92, of Tallahassee, Florida passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Dessie Bee (Ted) Sanders, 92, of Tallahassee, FL, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, March 26, 2023 in Tallahassee. She was born on August 4, 1930 to Homer and Dora Pike of Fairview, AL. She grew up on a cotton farm. Ted was cherished by her family and loved by those who knew her throughout her life. She generously opened her home and welcomed all who entered with fresh coffee and baked treats. Ted loved to cook, garden, travel, and became an avid weaver. She loved to fish. She knew and sang many of the old folk songs she heard as a child.

Ted was always on the move. She lived in Japan, California, Illinois, New Mexico, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. She was the first woman to graduate from St. Bernard College in Cullman, AL, with a baccalaureate degree in Philosophy. Ted was a school teacher throughout most of her career, serving primarily in the Franklin County, FL school district, and later receiving a Master’s Degree from Nova University. She was the most generous person you could ever meet, and impacted many lives through her teaching, counseling, kindness and hospitality.

She is survived by her sons, Joe (Sandy) Sanders, Jr. (spouse Julie Sanders) and William (Bill) Shults (spouse Candace Zingarelli); granddaughters Lea Amiss, Danika Randolph Oliverio (spouse Carmine Oliverio), and Helena Sanders; grandson William Sanders; great granddaughters Laney McDonald, Lucia Oliverio, and Giana Oliverio.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer Pike and Dora Bean Pike; her two husbands, Aaron (Lefty) Shults and Joe Sanders, Sr.; her daughter Laura Anne Shults Randolph (survived by partner William Stone); her sisters, Ola Mae Roebuck, Alline Chandler, Charlsie Flora “Boots” Hill, Mamie Butler, Lula “Lucy” Boyd; and her brothers, Clifford Pike, Robert Pike and William Aubrey (Al) Pike.

A family memorial will be arranged at a later date. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or any charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tallahassee-cremation for the Sanders family.