OBITUARY

Barnell Sanders Beavers was born in Verbena, Alabama, on May 14, 1945.  She was the fifth of ten children born to Deacon George Washington and Eugenia McCloud Sanders. On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, God called her home.

Barnell accepted Christ at an early age. She graduated from Cobb Avenue High School in 1963. After high school, she moved to Chicago to live with her sisters in search of better opportunities.  She began working at Jefferson Electric, where she was part of an assembly line. She met Marvin L. Beavers, Sr. and they were married on March 6, 1970. Three children were born to this union, Marvin "Julius", Allen "Deon", and Sabrina "Brina". They made a home in Joliet, Illinois. Barnell was a homemaker for most of her married life. She also babysat kids while their parents worked, and she also worked at the local polling place during election season and volunteered at her kids' and grandkids' schools.

Barnell was the nicest, sweetest and kindest woman you could ever meet. She was always pleasant and would welcome you with a smile and a hug. She loved cooking and would say she doesn't want to see anyone go hungry. She also loved to shop. She would be in the mall for hours looking for the perfect outfit and accessories. She loved holidays and always wanted them to be special, surrounded by her family. She loved kids, especially her own kids and grandkids. Her grandkids called her "Grandma Beavers" or "Granny". She would have her grandkids over on weekends or on school breaks and they would all have fun together. She also loved her soap operas; she and her sister, Maxine, and sister-in-law, Thelma Lee, would talk for hours about the "stories" as if the characters were real people. She was a friend to all and loved and respected by everyone who knew her.

Barnell is preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Lester Beavers, Sr.; her parents, George and Eugenia Sanders; three brothers, Satchel Paige Sanders, Roy Rogers Sanders, and Gregory Wendell Sanders; and one sister, Geraldine S. Lawler.

Barnell is survived by her children: Marvin Julius Beavers of Joliet, IL, Allen Deon Beavers, Sr. of Taylorsville, IL and Sabrina Denise Beavers-Smith of Florissant, MO; four sisters, Millicent S. (Joe) Monk, Dorothy S. Kendrick both of Anniston AL, Maxine S. White of Chicago, IL and Jo'Etta Sanders-Bush of Choccolocco, AL; one brother, Arthur G. (Vivian) Sanders of Columbia, SC; one aunt, Viola Bass of Dayton, OH; grandsons, Courtney McDonald, Allen D. Beavers, Jr, Deonte Massey-Beavers and Ramses Omari Smith; a dozen great grandkids; three sisters-in-law Barbara Beavers, Carrie Beavers and Annqunette (Joe) Crosby. Extended family, Alicia McDonald and Bobbi Ann Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

HOMEGOING CELEBRATION