Mae Dee (Sanders) Hodge

On the 28th of February, 1934 her flight lifted off for a destination paradise. Her parents Lovie and Eva C. (Shields) Sanders were proud of the new bundle of joy as she proved to be quite a unique individual.
Throughout her journey she met people she liked and did not like, but endured them through her Journey. Her cousins and siblings alike enjoyed their time spent together, because with Mae Dee they were in good hands and they knew she would stand up for them and protect them in any circumstance.  Whether in a fight or having to climb a fence, she was there to protect and assist them.
The flight was long but she endured until the end. The turbulence proved to be rough at times and she had to climb a little higher. During her flight she started to plant her garden that included 7 different plants: Ricky, Toni, Vanessa, Michael, Thomas, Alicia, and Randy. They all proved to be a handful in their own right, but as the flight endured, she had to climb higher for smoother territory.  There were times when the flight got very bumpy but she endured as her children produced children. This proved to be a task built for her stamina because no matter the circumstance she was there for them if they needed her in both good and bad. If the courtroom needed her, she was there. If babysitting was needed, she was there. Most of all, her wisdom was there for them as they needed it. Although the advice was not always used, it always proved to be right in practically every circumstance. 
She wasn’t a busy body, getting involved in everyone’s business because it wasn’t hers. If you had a secret and you shared it with her, she kept it. If she saw you do something that was wrong, she confronted you one to one and she held it. If you needed direction, she could and would paint a path for you as best as she knew how. When you thought that you were on a pedestal, she would remind you that you are no better than anyone else. If she needed something she would save months or years for it and she would get it. She didn’t live a microwave lifestyle. 
She taught us well. Some of us listened and some didn’t. When we were faced with a major task or something that needed correction, she would say “a stitch in time saves nine” and we would think "what in the world is wrong with her?" Up until a few years back we finally figured out what it meant: Do it now so that it doesn’t get worse and create more of a problem.  As she continued her turbulent journey of life, she lost her father, Lovie; her mother, Eva; her husband, Thomas L. Hodge; her daughter, Alicia "Lisa" Jackson; step daughter, Alice Lee Washington; her brothers, Larry and LLoyd Sanders; four sisters, Dorothy Roberts, Bobbie Jean Sanders, Ruth Hickey and Gladys Rogers. 
The flight had started to get really bumpy and proved to be a chore, but yet she chose to endure a while longer as she had more to do. She began to lean on her mother’s teaching and got back in the church and attended regularly until her health began to fail her. Though she could not fly the way she could before, she did what she could.  She continued to offer learned advice to many as they came by or called; even some she had clashed with before. She was a gentle spirit at heart but would make sure you didn’t try any funny business with her because she would pick up on it and send you on your way. Her flight has been circling for some time waiting for her landing position as she waits on her destination paradise.  As she descended on her landing spot the flight hit some air pockets but smoothed out with a flawless landing to her final resting place.  Rest is finally upon her and her peace is with her as the mission is completed.  
The aviation map has been left with:  her children, Ricky Sanders of Giddings, Texas, Toni Jo Preston of Fort Worth, Texas, Vanessa Moore(Elbert) of Bryan, Texas, Michael Sanders of Giddings, Texas, Thomas Sanders(Novita) of Missouri City, Texas and Randy Sanders of Houston, Texas; 18 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
 

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