On Tuesday August 16, 2016, Emma Sue “Sandy” Sanford Eaves departed this earthly journey.   

Emma Sue Sanford Eaves was born in Kenbridge, Virginia, to Deacon William and Emma Sanford who were both members of Friendship Baptist Church and her baptism was at an early age also at Friendship Baptist Church. After graduation from Lunenburg Training School, she entered the St. Philip School of Nursing followed by enlistment into the U. S. Army as a registered nurse.

After her honorable discharge from the military as a Captain, she moved to Roanoke, Va. There, she met and married Robert Eaves and from that union one daughter was born, Diane Sanford Eaves.

Later she relocated to Washington, D.C., and gained employment at the Veterans Administration Hospital as a registered nurse until she retired in 1968. In 1970, she joined the Gethsemane Baptist Church while also maintaining her home membership at Friendship Baptist Church. After retirement there were many years of travel, including the Caribbean; Hawaii; Holland; West and South Africa; London; England; and Paris, France; to name a few along with several cruises to include Alaska.

Over the years, she continued to work faithfully in various ministries at both Friendship and Gethsemane Baptist churches such as the Missionary Society, the former Never Grow Old Club, and the Pulpit Committee to help select Gethsemane’s fourth pastor, as well as a faithful Sunday School student. She also did several speaking engagements in both Washington, D.C., and Virginia, to include Black History and Veteran’s Day programs.

She was equally involved in both her high school and college reunions. She was planning to attend the Lunenburg High School Reunion next month in September. She attended her last college reunion in April of this year. At age 98, she still had a great love for her St. Philip Alumni Association where she was unanimously named president of the Washington, D.C., St. Philip Alumni Association Chapter in October 2015.   

Emma leaves to cherish her memories a devoted daughter, Diane; an adopted daughter Valencia Jones; a sister/niece Katherine Robertson; a brother-in-law Milton Langle; a God Daughter Tiffany Singletary and many nieces, nephews; great nieces and great nephews and a host of other relatives, family and friends. Preceding her in death were her siblings, Sarah, Clara, Rose, Lucy, Pattie, Bettie and John.

Internment was held at Rosebud Baptist Church Cemetery, and funeral services were held at Friendship Baptist Church in Kenbridge on Monday, Aug. 22, 2016.

S.P. Jones and Son Funeral Home were in charge of arrangements.