Elizabeth "Eliza" Sanders
Elizabeth “Eliza” Sanders was 100 years of age when she passed away, yet extraordinarily little is known about her century-long life. Likely born enslaved around 1823 in Virginia, Eliza’s namesake endures for at least three generations—exemplifying a valued maternal family structure. Having lived in Richmond, Virginia—the largest trading-center of enslaved people—it was the slave trade that likely brought her, Zacharas—her husband upon emancipation, and four of their youngest children to Alabama. Eliza’s remaining six children were likely forcibly sold away. Eliza was nearly 40 years of age before freedom became a reality for her and any children fortunate enough to still be with her.
Eliza kept her family close, she lived with or near each of her daughters Mary Reynolds, Nellie Turk, and Elizabeth ‘Lizzie” Williams and her grandchildren on Auburn’s Main Street (known today as College Street) near Samford Avenue. Proving her intelligence and resilience, Eliza learned to read and write throughout the course of her long life. On October 27th, 1923, Eliza passed away. At rest at Baptist Hill Cemetery near the sidewalk on Dean Road, she lies—still keeping her family close—with her daughter Lizzie, son-in-law Jeff, and granddaughter Annie Pearl. Ms. Eliza Sanders will forever be etched in stone as “OUR MOTHER”..
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Eliza kept her family close, she lived with or near each of her daughters Mary Reynolds, Nellie Turk, and Elizabeth ‘Lizzie” Williams and her grandchildren on Auburn’s Main Street (known today as College Street) near Samford Avenue. Proving her intelligence and resilience, Eliza learned to read and write throughout the course of her long life. On October 27th, 1923, Eliza passed away. At rest at Baptist Hill Cemetery near the sidewalk on Dean Road, she lies—still keeping her family close—with her daughter Lizzie, son-in-law Jeff, and granddaughter Annie Pearl. Ms. Eliza Sanders will forever be etched in stone as “OUR MOTHER”..
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Contributed by Carmilla Tindal