Emma Brady Sanders

Raleigh-Emma Brady Sanders, 79, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, April 14, 2018, while in the loving arms of her family at Wake Medical Center. She passed away suddenly from a severe head injury, after a fall due to unknown circumstances on April 12. Her strong devotion to her family, unwavering faith in God, and service to her Church and community will be greatly missed. Emma was born on July 12, 1938 in Clayton, North Carolina to her loving parents Glenn an Agnes Brady. After graduating from Clayton High School and working as a secretary in Raleigh, she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) E. Sanders. The couple was married on July 26, 1957 at Powhatan Free Will Baptist Church in Clayton. Over the years, Emma and Bob raised their two children, Robert and Sharon in Roanoke, Virginia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina before returning to Raleigh to be near family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert (Bob) E. Sanders; her son Robert E. Sanders, Jr and wife Chae Sanders and his children Bert, Michael, Elizabeth, Hannah, and Louis; her daughter Sharon Sanders Musselwhite and husband Robert Britt Musselwhite and their children Robert, Duncan, and Katie; her great grand-children Bradley, Emma, Anna, Ryan, and Joseph; and her siblings Kay Stokley; Glenda Moore and her husband Alfred; Edith Nelson; and Willie Brady and his wife Janet. Throughout her life she maintained a close bond with her sisters, brothers and their children on both sides of her large and extended family. She had a sweet and simple spirit that won the trust and hearts of many. A woman of faith and the heart of her family, Emma shaped their spirituality by her tireless Christian example, and also through various Church prayer groups, bible study groups, children’s Sunday school and activities supporting our deployed troops. Over the past fifteen years the children at Christ Baptist have known Emma as the “Starburst Angel” as she greeted them each Sunday morning with a smile, a hug, and a Starburst candy. The family will greet friends from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 in the Christ Baptist Church gathering hall, 400 Newton Road, Raleigh, NC, followed by a “Celebration of Life” service. A private graveside service will be Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at Maplewood Cemetery in Clayton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to “Angel Ministries”, 5115 Hollyridge Drive, #1A, Raleigh, NC or Christ Baptist Church. Condolences may be made to bryan-leefuneralhome.com