Rita Faye Sanders

Rita Faye Sanders

Born August 29th, 1959, in Kosciusko, MS the daughter of James (Stubby) and Hilda Sanders. She left this world August 22nd, 2025, at her residence in Kosciusko. Rita was a member of Kosciusko Church of God of Prophecy. Rita was a graduate of Kosciusko High School, Holmes Community College, and The University of Mississippi (UMC). At an early age, Rita earned her EMT helping her parents operate Sanders Independent Ambulance for many years. Rita was also a Registered Respiratory Therapist primarily working at Monfort Jones Memorial Hospital and Lexington Hospital (UMC). Rita earned her Paramedic Certification in 1995 from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. During her years as a paramedic, she was also a dispatch training officer, Field Training Officer, and EMS supervisor through AMR but also working for Attala EMS, Goss EMS, Acadian Ambulance, Rankin County EMS, and Scott County EMS. She enjoyed teaching the next generation of EMTs as an EMT Basic instructor with Holmes Community College. Outside of her family she would have told you her greatest achievement was living out her parents legacy in EMS in Attala County. Rita is survived by her daughter Brittani Self (Jayson), her grand-children Brandon Crowson (Ashlee), Cash White (Karsyn), Kelby Burrell (Colton), Cadon Goodman Johnson (Brandon), Olivea Goodman (Hunter), Weston Self, Slayde Goodman, Rynlee Self, and Mason Barber. One great grandson Grady Lane Crowson. Bonus Grands: Hayden Burns, Piper DuBard, Paisley DuBard, Belle Burns, Paxtyn DuBard and Asher Burns. Her nieces Ayme Blakely (Dustin) and Amanda DuBard (Jason). As well as a host of cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Rita was preceded in death by her parents James “Stubby” and Hilda Frazier Sanders of Kosciusko, MS, her brother Jimmy Sanders, her sister Vicky Carol Sanders and her daughter Ashley Shea’ Coleman Goodman.

Rita had a home that many of us also called our home at some point in our lives. Her door was always open, and she lived that, not just said it. She not only raised her daughters, but she had a hand in raising many of her daughter’s friends, her nieces and their friends, her grandkids and their host of friends have also known they are all welcome at Rere’s house anytime. She loved family and she loved making memories with everyone she loved. As accomplished as she was in her career her most prized accomplishment by far was earning the title of ReRe. She was family famous for so much …. Showing up at Thanksgiving Dinner 30 minutes late with the mashed potatoes and can of cranberry sauce, but maybe she forgot the cranberry sauce …. , any and every keepsake was safe with her! It would be framed, preserved and stored safely in the best place possible. To which she would eventually remember where that was... She was present, showing up to every game and every event. As a coach for many years, she had to finish the game from the parking lot, she loved fiercely … but as a grandparent she kept that same fire for her grand babies … just learned to mumble UNDER her breath instead of directly at the umpires. She was loud, blunt, you never wondered where you stood with her at all because she would tell you. She was also the family rock, fearless, tender-hearted, sensitive, sentimental, and had the biggest heart of anyone you had ever known, and she was the first to tell you she loved you and was proud of you. She loved being surrounded by her family and friends and hated being made a fuss about. She would say she lived a simple life in a small town, we would say she lived an extraordinary life not confined by the Attala County lines. She leaves a legacy she always wanted, first her love for our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST, second her love for her family and those friends that were, as she would say, “grandfathered in on the family plan”. In conclusion, as she would end every message, post, or text to her family …. LYWAMHTH.

Services will be handled by Jordan Funeral Home in Kosciusko and will be as follows. Visitation at Jordan Funeral Home Tuesday, August 26th 5-7pm. Visitation will resume Wednesday, August 27th 9-11am at First United Pentecostal Church in Kosciusko with services starting at 11am with graveside to immediately follow at Parkway Cemetery. Crestview Church will host the family following graveside services. Pallbearers Brandon Crowson, Cash White, Jayson Self, Dustin Blakely, Hayden Burns, Colton Crosby. Honorary PallBearers: Jason DuBard, Weston Self, Slayde Goodman, Paxtyn DuBard, Grady Crowson, and Asher Burns. Serving as the first ever memorial flower girl: Rynlee Self. Officiating services are Rev. Charles Fisher and the Ellard Trio.