Phyllis Lavon Sanders

Phyllis Lavon Sanders

Ava, Missouri

Phyllis Lavon Sanders, 69 years, 4 months, 1 day old, lost her battle with cancer on February 21, 2026, at Northwood Hills Care Center, Humansville, Missouri with her family by her side.

Phyllis was born October 20, 1956, in Kansas City, Missouri to Vaughn Amiel and Norene (Lantz) Martin.

Phyllis grew up in the Sweden community and graduated from Ava High School, Class of 1975. She later attended Vatterott College in Springfield, Missouri.

She worked several years at Emerson Electric in Ava and later at the American Legion Post 676 in Republic, Missouri.

In 1974, Phyllis and Steve Sanders were united in marriage and together they had three children, Tracey, Kara, and Stephen Paul.

Phyllis loved to craft, sew, and quilt. She was very talented at quilting.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Paul E. Martin.

Phyllis is survived by her children and their spouses, Tracey & Marty Faul of Oswego, New York, Kara Hodges & Mike Becker of Flemington, Missouri, and Stephen Paul & Michelle Sanders of Lewisville, Texas; twin brother, Rick Martin of Smithville, Missouri; three grandchildren, Abby Faul, Matthew Sanders, and Conner Sanders; four nieces; four nephews; several great nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Phyllis best friends, Pam Lemmons and Claire Graham for their presence and support. A Celebration of Life by the family will be Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at the Ava American Legion Post 112, Ava, Missouri. 

Cremation services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Missouri.