Gloria Jean Chance Sanders' Obituary
Gloria Jean Chance Sanders, of Hornbeck, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, at The Woodlands Healthcare Center in Leesville, Louisiana.
Gloria was born on September 18, 1940, in Many, Louisiana, to F.C. and Elsie Dowden Chance. As the eldest of four children, she developed a nurturing spirit early in life. This spirit would go on to define her as a person in every season. She began taking piano lessons at a young age and went on to use her talent to serve others and her church. Her gift of music truly was from God, especially given she suffered from severe hearing loss.
She graduated from Plainview High School in 1958 and continued her education at Centenary Baptist College in Shreveport. Gloria spent many years working in Leesville in the abstract and clerk of court offices before joining the Vernon Parish Registrar of Voters in February of 1983. She retired in January of 2008 after almost 25 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Vernon Parish. During those years, she formed countless friendships with people who became like family to her.
Gloria devoted her life to Christ. She was a faithful member of Bible Baptist Church for more than 50 years, where she joyfully ministered as a pianist and Sunday School teacher. In her later years she also took part in the women’s jail ministry, sharing hope, compassion, and the truth of God’s Word with those in need. Her relationship with Jesus was evident in the way she lived by serving others-through prayer, a warm hug, gentle encouragement, a compassionate listening ear, or a home-cooked meal. In all she did, Gloria desired to reflect Christ’s love, leaving a lasting impact on everyone blessed to know her.
Her family was her whole world. They were the reason she rose early, stayed up late, and poured herself into each day. She found deep joy in her children. Three precious gifts God had entrusted to her. Each one unique in their ways and each perfect in her eyes. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren were truly an extension of her heart. With each new generation, her love only grew deeper. Love is what she did and she did it well.
Her kitchen was the heart of her home and there was never a visit that did not include a meal. Gloria enjoyed the company of others. Family, friends, or even unexpected guests were always welcome, and her door was always open. She had a remarkable way of making everyone feel at home, genuinely eager to hear every new detail of what was happening in your life. One question would lead to many questions and what was meant to be a brief visit often stretched into hours. These visits were always filled with love and laughter, and even a few tears when needed, but everyone who came left feeling full in every way.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, F.C. and Elsie Dowden Chance; her husband, Owen Earl Sanders; her sister, Francis Carolyn Chance Gaskin; and her brother, Roger Dale Chance.
She is survived by the last love of her life, Lewis Moss of Hornbeck; her sister, Sharlon Frederick of Alexandria; her daughter, Kathy Sanders Comstock of Leesville; her sons, Vaughn Sanders of Leesville and Victor Sanders of Hornbeck; her grandchildren, Cody Richardson (Heather), Cara McDaniel (Jason), Randi Flynn, Austin Sanders (Sonya), and Brett Sanders; six-teen great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren, along with a host of extended family and dear friends.
Funeral services for Gloria Jean Chance Sanders will be held on Friday, January 30th, 2026, at Labby Memorial Funeral Home at 12:00 PM, with Pastors Wayne Chance and Chad King officiating. A visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to the time of the service. Burial will follow at Prewitt’s Chapel Baptist Church.
Serving as pallbearers will be Victor Sanders, Jason McDaniel, Cody Richardson Jr, and Ryan McDaniel.
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” In death there is still great loss and much pain, but grief is not the end of the story. Gloria is now more alive than she has ever been. Faith has become sight. The Jesus she trusted, served, and loved so faithfully has welcomed her home.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at https://www.labbymemorialfh.com
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