Grace Hurst Sanders

Grace Hurst Sanders was born on March 29, 1942, in Macon, Georgia, the youngest of three daughters of John and Clyde Hurst. Sixteen years younger than the oldest and the image of her mother in beauty and temperament, Grace was the apple of her father’s eye. His sudden death on her fifth birthday marked her childhood with deep loss, yet Grace carried lifelong memories of the profound love they shared. Her mother returned to work as a nurse and, with resilience, bright wit, and skillful hands, made a warm and loving home for her daughters. Grace often spoke with gratitude of the extended family, caregivers, mentors, and friends who nurtured her early life and helped shape her outgoing spirit, lifelong resilience, and devotion to caring for others.

Education was central to Grace’s identity from an early age. A diligent student and proud member of the Beta Club, she graduated from Miller High School in Macon and treasured a Lane cedar chest awarded to her as the school’s Most Outstanding Home Economics student. During high school, she worked weekends at a downtown department store, eventually earning a promotion to the pharmacy—an experience that awakened her calling to nursing. Well regarded by her peers, Grace enjoyed close friendships and was notably invited, though only a junior, to serve as sponsor for the spring company review by two senior ROTC cadet captains from Lanier High School—an exceptional honor.

Grace received a full scholarship to the University of Georgia to study home economics but chose to pursue nursing instead. She earned her nursing degree from the Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing and later a bachelor’s degree from Tift College (now Mercer University), working in the infirmary to self-fund her education. She became both a devoted nurse and a respected instructor at Georgia Baptist, mentoring future nurses with compassion, discipline, and high standards. Nursing was not merely her profession; it was her calling.

While working at Georgia Baptist in Atlanta, a friend arranged a double date with her fiancé’s roommate, Gene Sanders. Their relationship blossomed quickly, and they were married on October 10, 1964, in a joyful double wedding ceremony with Grace’s middle sister. It marked the beginning of sixty-one years of marriage rooted in love, faithfulness, and shared values.

Grace and Gene began married life in Columbus, Georgia. After the birth of their first daughter, Beth, Grace devoted herself entirely to motherhood and homemaking. Gene’s IBM career later took the family to Rome, Georgia, and, in 1975, to Atlanta, where they settled in the Buckhead community for the next fifty years. A decade after Beth’s birth, the family was delighted by the joyful surprise of a second daughter, Catharine, whose lively spirit mirrored her mother’s own. Throughout both girls’ years at The Westminster Schools, Grace was deeply involved in their academic and extracurricular enrichment. Especially dear to her was nurturing their love of music and the arts. Though her own childhood dream of becoming an opera singer was never realized, Grace took great joy in watching her daughters’ piano, voice, classical guitar, and flute recitals, as well as their choral, dance, and musical theater performances.

Grace’s love of children and gift for teaching found full expression as a preschool nurse and teacher. She served for many years at Northside Methodist Preschool, where generations of children affectionately knew her as “Nurse Grace,” famed for her splinter “bravery awards” and gentle care. She later taught three-year-olds at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, where her creativity, enthusiasm, and love left a lasting impression on countless families.

Grace never met a stranger. She nurtured relationships through letters, cards, and thoughtful correspondence until the last day of her life, often enclosing clippings she thought others might enjoy. Together with Gene, she designed distinctive Christmas cards that blended her artistry with his woodworking talent. Grace delighted in hospitality—hosting teas, decorating for every holiday, and baking “Preacher’s Pound Cakes” and other treats to share with neighbors and friends.

She also loved working outdoors, cultivating and tending gardens wherever they lived. Grace adored animals, particularly cats, rescuing many over the years. Her compassion extended to vulnerable children and animals alike, reflected in her volunteer work with the Humane Society while living in Rome.

Grace and Gene were longtime members of Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church before joining Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in 1999. There, Grace served faithfully on the Administrative Board, as a lay member of the North Georgia Annual Conference, and as President of United Methodist Women, in addition to co-founding and leading Sunday School classes in partnership with Gene. She also shared her love of PRUMC’s beauty and history as a docent and cherished the fellowship of her Sunday School classes, front-pew worship companions, and a small online Bible study group in more recent years.

Grace was deeply passionate about genealogy and took great pride in honoring her family’s legacy. She was an active and devoted member of fifteen genealogical and lineage organizations, including the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution; the Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy; the Order of the First Families of Virginia; the National Society Magna Charta Dames and Barons; the Colonial Dames of America; and the Jamestowne Society.

Within the Jamestowne Society, Grace was recently honored for her service as Governor of the First Georgia Company. During her tenure as Governor, Grace delighted in traveling to Virginia for the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown landing. She devoted years of meticulous research to placing a historic marker honoring her ancestor, Rev. Samuel Whatley, at the Kettle Creek Battlefield near Washington, Georgia – an effort that required patience, persistence, and the eventual discovery of his gravesite deep in the woods. She also worked diligently to place historic markers at Paces Ferry United Methodist Church and at the Ida Williams Branch Library in Buckhead, reflecting her deep reverence for heritage, scholarship, and public service.

In retirement, Grace devoted herself fully to community service. For nearly thirty years, she volunteered with the Fulton County Juvenile Court Citizen Review Panel and, for more than twenty years—until days before her passing—rose before dawn every Friday to collect and deliver bakery donations to food pantries through Action Ministries. Caring especially for children and families, Grace lived out her belief that the vulnerable should be protected and the hungry fed. To many, she truly was “Amazing Grace.”

Grace’s later years were especially enriched by the blessing of her granddaughter, Henley, with whom she shared a deep and joyful bond. The two spent afternoons together nearly every day of Henley’s life – from rocking a severely colicky newborn for hours, to preschool drop-offs and pick-ups, to countless hours of reading, playing, gardening, and learning. In these moments, Grace’s gifts as a nurse and teacher came full circle, continuing until her very last day on earth, which she spent taking her beloved granddaughter to ballet. Grace’s family gives thanks for the nearly six extraordinary years in which Henley was nurtured by her Nana’s incomparable love.

Grace passed away on December 9, 2025, now reunited with her beloved Gene, who preceded her in death on November 11, 2025. She is survived by her daughters, Rev. Dr. Margaret Elizabeth (Beth) Sanders and Catharine Anglin Sanders Aguilar; and her granddaughter, Henley Elizabeth Aguilar. Following a private inurnment at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, a memorial service celebrating Grace and Gene’s remarkable life together will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Collins Memorial Food Pantry; c/o Peachtree Road UMC; 3180 Peachtree Road NE; Atlanta, Georgia 30305.