Vivian Whitsel

Vivian Ann Knox Sanders-Whitsel was born May 16, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri to Lenerd Williams and Ida T. Knox. Vivian was the youngest of five children. She was loved and raised with three brothers, James, Ossa Knox and Tariq Malik and one sister, Dorothy (Knox) Williams. She was married to James Sanders, Jr. (preceded her in death), on June 11, 1961. To this union, four children (Derrick, Eric, Letrica and James Sanders, III.), were born. Vivian and James moved the family to Denver, CO in 1964. She worked at Mercy Hospital in 1965 before being employed at Keebler in 1970, as a laborer and eventually breaking that "glass ceiling" by becoming President of the Union. She was a loving wife and godly mother. She was a faithful churchgoer and Bible study attendee until she became ill. Vivian loved the Lord and never stopped studying her Bible. She was very knowledgeable about the Word of God. On April 24, 1976 Vivian joined in union with Sherman Henry Whitsel, Jr. (preceded her in death). Together, they shared their love for God, family, friends and travel. Vivian was a beautiful, loving, spiritual mother, grandmother and great grandmother whom everyone loved, cherished and affectionately called her "Momo." She is survived by her 100 year old mother Ms. Ida T. Knox; three sons, Derrick, Eric and James Sanders, III, one daughter, Letrica Sanders; four grandchildren (Thaddeus Sanders and Sarah; James (Elsa) Austin; Shavonne Austin and Derrick Sanders, Jr.); She was the proud great-grandmother of: Trinity Austin, Mia Keck, Dorion, Bella Julie Sanders and Harmony Young; one brother, Tariq Malik, and one sister, Dorothy Williams. She also leaves to mourn her passing; Jarvis, Kristy and Be'Elanna Sanders and a host of nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. Vivian surrendered her life to Christ at a very young age. She loved and served Him throughout her life, teaching others of His love. She was a devoted Christian, full of youth and served as God's servant until He called her home on October 1, 2016. Two brothers, James and Ossa Knox and her grandmother Ms. Minnie Dowd, preceded her in death.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 10/9/2016 at 12:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 10/10/2016 at 10:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 10/10/2016 - Following the Service Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 10/10/2016 - Following Interment Mt Moriah Missionary Baptist Church - 1711 Altura Blvd Aurora, CO