Annie R. Sanders, peacefully entered her heavenly home on January 8, 2026, just six days ahead of her 108th birthday.

She was born on January 14, 1918, in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, to the late Frederick and Lucinda Sanders. The family later relocated to Athens, Tennessee, where Annie attended public schools.

As a young adult, Annie met and married Phillip Westmoreland, Sr., and together they raised ten children. In 1948, they moved from Athens to Chattanooga, where four of their children were born.

Annie worked for several years as a seamstress at Thea's House of Sample on McCallie Avenue before pursuing her passion for cooking. She worked at Buck's Restaurant on Ringgold Road and later became the head pastry cook at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she eventually retired. Her love for cooking never faded-she continued cooking well into early 2025, at the age of 107.

Annie was a faithful and devoted member of Rose of Sharon Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Charles E. Moore. She was the church's oldest member and served honorably on the Mother Board.

Annie accepted Christ at an early age and lived her faith through her loving, kind, and gentle spirit. She carried a calm presence even in difficult times and was known for her remarkable patience. She read her Bible daily and, even as her eyesight dimmed, continued listening to sermons and taking notes. She especially enjoyed

broadcasts by Pastor John MacArthur and Pastor Earnest Reid of S.M.B.C.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings; four children - Dennis R. Westmoreland, Bessie W. Douglas, Judy W. Braswell, and Calvin L. Westmoreland; and seven grandchildren.

She leaves to cherish her memory three sons: Walter Westmoreland (caregiver), Phillip Westmoreland (Nancy), and James Westmoreland; three daughters: Freddie Williams, Shannon Westmoreland, and Gloria Allen (caregiver); 31 grandchildren; and many great- and great-great-grandchildren, spanning five generations. She also leaves a circle of longtime special friends: Jerry and Glenda Sloan, Cynthia Smith, Larry Smith, and Scott Almond.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 2-6 pm at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at 12 noon Wednesday, January 14th at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, located at 3777 Wilcox Boulevard in Chattanooga. Th interment will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.