Alzheimer’s disease is relentless. So are we.

We lost our mother, Vivian Benson Sanders, in May 2020. She died peacefully at 95 after living with Alzheimer's Disease for several years. We are walking this year in her memory to raise awareness and funds for research to end this sad disease.

Vivian was born on Christmas Eve in Port Arthur, but grew up in Houston. She met Floyd Sanders at a church social on New Year's Eve 1939, and they were married on December 21,1940. After his service in the Army Air Corps, the couple made their home in Houston,where their four children were born. Floyd's work took them to Freeport and then to Alvin. When they retired in 1982, they moved to Bryan where she became active in First Baptist Church of Bryan and other community organizations.Floyd and Vivian had just celebrated their 72nd anniversary when he passed in 2013.

 A lifelong committed Christian and consummate Biblical scholar, Vivian's life was her witness. She taught many Sunday school classes throughout the years, and even led morning devotions in her assisted living facility.

To say Vivian was unique doesn't even begin to describe her. She was genius-level smart but was filled with common sense and wisdom. Her curiosity was limitless and multi-faceted. She was always interested in learning from people and about people, no matter who they were. Her brilliance made seeing her mind decline all the sadder.

At 15, she was offered a full scholarship to Rice University – located less than two miles from her home – but her father refused his permission for her to attend. For the rest of her life, she still painfully recalled how he stole her future.  She earned her accounting credentials by correspondence, and worked in the field for 30 years, ultimately retiring from her last part-time job at 85. She continued to take occasional college courses throughout the years. In fact, she was riding her bicycle home from Texas A&M after her advanced Spanish final when she fell and broke her hip; she was 65.

Vivian was a prolific writer, publishing hundreds of articles in local, regional, and national newspapers and magazines. She was also an accomplished musician who played both the piano and the violin and performed in her church orchestra for many years.

We're REMEMBERING VIVIAN this year. Support us in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's®, the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.