Paulette Ann (Carter) Sanders – Born on December 21, 1951, in Ashtabula, Ohio, to Eddie and Virginia Carter, she was the fifth of seven children. She graduated from Ashtabula High School and went on to build a life centered on love for Jehovah God, her family, and hospitality.
On August 22, 1981, she married Leroy Sanders. Their wedding was the first ever held at the Westerville Kingdom Hall, marking the beginning of a devoted marriage that spanned 44 years. She was affectionately called “Brown Sugar” by her husband who describes her as a beautiful woman in every way. Paulette was baptized on July 5, 1968, and lived her life fully dedicated to Jehovah God.
Throughout her life, she made her home in several Ohio communities— in Akron from 1981 to 1983, Columbus from 1983 to 1990, and then Defiance, where she settled for 32 years and became deeply rooted in the community and with the local Defiance, later the Auglaize River congregation. She served faithfully as both a regular and auxiliary pioneer and was known for her generosity and warmth. Her home was always open, especially to district and circuit overseers, as well as anyone in need of a place to stay. She also supported metropolitan witnessing in its early stages in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
She cherished small‑town life, tending a community garden and forming lasting connections wherever she lived. Professionally, she worked primarily in government, including working with Social Security – hearings and appeals. She also spent much of her part-time career in administrative roles.
Family was at the heart of her life. Though she had no children of her own, she was lovingly known as “Aunt Paul” to many—not only her biological nieces and nephews, but to countless others who felt her care and guidance. Even her social media reflected this love, proudly using the name “Aunt Paul.” She especially delighted in spending time with young ones in her congregation, hosting creative and joyful activities such as Easy‑Bake Oven bake‑offs for young sisters.
She embraced beauty and creativity in all forms. A true “girly girl,” she loved frills, decorating, and designer items. She was an artist with a talent for painting and pottery, a dedicated housewife, and a gourmet baker. She loved music, dancing, traveling, and cruising, especially trips to the beach, despite her fear of spiders and birds. Wherever she went, she had a gift for making everyone feel seen, valued, and welcomed.
In 2020, she developed dementia and courageously battled the illness, unknowingly, for the last six years of her life. She will be remembered for her faith, her generosity, her creativity, and the lasting impact she had on her family, congregation, and community.
She was preceded in death by her parents Eddie and Virginia Carter, brother Larry Carter, sister Linda Lou Carter and brother-in-law Marion Williams Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory – sisters Delphine Williams, Edie Cheney (James), Barbara Carter, Denyse Carter, sister-in-law Bernetta Faison, uncle Ted Redic (Lynda – deceased), nieces and nephews Derek Williams (Amy), Chanin Sparks (David), Danielle Williams, Corey Cheney (Yolanda), Derel Williams, Cordell Cheney (Jennifer), Craig Cheney (Mauria), Chaundrea Givens (Julian), Lekie Capa; nine great nieces and nephews and one great-great niece, along with a host of cousins and a worldwide brotherhood of Christian brothers and sisters.
A memorial will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, 2:00 p.m. at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 4092 Darrow Road, Stow, OH 44224.
You may also attend via Zoom
Meeting ID – 88296451937
Passcode – 701898