Johnnie Marie Lyon Sanders, age, 69, of Savannah passed away Sunday, July 9, 2023 after a long battle with Alzheimers Disease.
Mrs. Sanders was born on August 6, 1953 in Harnett County, North Carolina to the late Archie James Lyon and the late Thelma Denton Lyon. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Akeya Chiana Sanders; and grandson, Reginald Neal Brannan Jr.
Johnnie was raised on a farm in North Carolina with her older sister, Patricia, and younger brother, Richard, and learned to drive at an early age. She spent most of her life as a professional driver and drove school buses for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. She was very athletic; she played basketball and softball and loved to fish and hunt. Johnnie also enjoyed all water activities and spent many summer days and evenings at the beach, pool, or cruising on her boat.
Johnnie is survived by her loving partner of many years, Cleve Sanders Jr.; children, Stephanie (Melissa) Sanders, Cleave (Akeya) Sanders III, Theresa (Elizah Jr.) Jackson, Ivory Reese, Haseleria (Avery) Hall, Aretha (Carl) Reeves, Althea (Brian Sr.) Humphrey, Lisa (LaThomas) Sanders Mack and grandchildren Ray’ven Sanders, Cleave Sanders IV, Kiley Sanders, Brittany Jackson, Elizah III (Jordan) Jackson, Malcolm Jackson, Brian Humphrey Jr., Nicholas Humphrey, Brea Humphrey, Matice (Nathaniel) Brannan, Ma’Lisha Brannan, Ma’Loni Brannan and Arin Hall; and great grandchildren, Ava Marie Jackson, Melonie Daniel, Ma’Jaiyah Brunson and Chosen Crawford.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Chapel (7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive Savannah, GA 31406).
Interment will follow in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery.