Margaret Thomas Sanders

Margaret Isabel Thomas Sanders

Surrounded by her family, the beloved mother of six daughters, Margaret Isabel Thomas Sanders, of Asheboro, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2022.  She was loving and devoted to all whose lives she touched and will be greatly missed for her gentle, caring spirit.

Margaret, age 94, was born in Cameron, North Carolina, to the late Mary Belle Kelly Thomas and the late Melvin Curtis Thomas. She graduated from Cameron High School in 1945 where she was Miss Cameron High and a member of the school basketball team.  After graduation, Margaret went to Charleston, South Carolina, to work for the Naval Shipyard until the end of World War II.  At that time, she moved to Asheboro, where she met the love of her life, her husband of 60 years, the late Fred Sanders.
Margaret was a member of Central United Methodist Church and for many years was active in the Christian Homemakers Sunday School Class and the Susannah Wesley United Methodist Women. She also served as a Good Shepherd. Besides her church activities, Margaret was an active volunteer in her children’s schools, usually as grade chairman, and as a helper in the schools’ health rooms.  In addition, she volunteered at Randolph Hospital, bringing joy to patients by delivering cards and flowers to the patients’ rooms.  In her leisure time, Margaret enjoyed gardening, reading, ceramics, and cooking.  She was an excellent cook and an immaculate housekeeper.

Margaret was survived by her daughters, Linda Zenns (Dave) of High Point, Jean Huffman (Albert) of Hickory, Jane Johnson (David) of Cary, Kathy Trogdon of Asheboro, and Cindy Redding of Sophia, who passed away on August 3, 2022.  Other survivors include grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Kathryn Smith (Aaron) of Raleigh and their son, Graham; Laura Lineberry (Taylor) of Raleigh and their children, Isabel and Wills; David Zenns (Victoria) of Charlotte; Brett Huffman (Lauren) of Hickory and their children, Claire and Hayes; Kelly Streer (Nathan) of Winston Salem and their son, John David; Brad Trogdon of High Rock Lake and his son, Eli; Lindsey Redding of Sophia; and Rob Redding (Hannah) of Asheboro.  Additionally, Margaret is survived by two half sisters, Shirley Williams of Ocean Isle and Carol Scott of Sanford, and two half-brothers, Max Thomas (Sandra) of Southern Pines and Sandy Thomas (Jane) of Pawley’s Island. 

As well as her husband and parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her daughter, Sharon Sanders; stepmother, Ruby Thomas; two sisters, Dorothy Sanders and Rebecca Carlyle; five brothers, Dan Thomas, Henry Thomas, John Thomas, Warren Thomas, and Paul Thomas; and a half-brother, Bobby Thomas.

Margaret treasured her family and friends and embraced every moment with them. She was a great role model, living an exemplary Christian life of service, love, joy, kindness, and integrity.

A service of celebration in loving memory of Margaret will be held at Central United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 1:00 P.M.  The family will receive friends in the Family Life Center following the service.

Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 300 South Main Street, Asheboro, North Carolina 27203.

Margaret’s family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Senior Living in Asheboro for their care and love for Margaret, especially Kayla and Macey, who called her “Mama.”

Condolences may be expressed online at pughfuneralhome.com.