Amanda Sanders

Amanda Sanders, 25, of Advance, Mo., passed away Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at Saint Francis Medical Center surrounded by her loving family, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

She was born Sept. 22, 1984, in Cape Girardeau, daughter to Richard E. and Ruth Sanders.

Amanda was a graduate of Delta High School, Southeast Missouri State University, and was currently obtaining her master's degree from the University of Missouri. She had a passion for working with children. Through her illness she completed her schooling and accomplished her dream of teaching. She taught two years in the Advance School District. She also worked at the family business, Quality Metal in Delta.

Amanda was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Whitewater and the "Team Hornets" Relay for Life Team.

Survivors include her mother; a brother, Richard E. (Jessica) Sanders Jr.; a sister, Sheila (Gregory) Goergen; two nieces, Haley and Brianna Sanders; and one nephew, Zachary Goergen, all of Advance, Mo.; and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, maternal grandparents, paternal grandfather, two uncles and a cousin.

Visitation will be after 4 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee, Mo. Friends may call at the First Baptist Church in Whitewater after 12:30 p.m. Monday. The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be at Kenyon Cemetery near Delta.