Geraldene “Jerry” Sanderson Mitchell, was the daughter of Effie Bruinsma Sanderson and Fred Percy Sanderson.  Jerry’s mother, Effie, came to America on a boat with her parents from Amsterdam, Holland at the turn of the century to settle in the then prairie town of Nederland, Texas when Effie was a small child.  Jerry’s family was an integral part of the history of Nederland. A family bible that belonged to Jerry’s parents sits in the historic Windmill on Boston Avenue, along with a picture of Jerry’s great grandfather, Carolus Bruinsma.  Jerry and her siblings grew up in Nederland, and Jerry lived here all of her life.  Jerry’s father, Fred Sanderson, served as Nederland City Mayor in the 1950s and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Nederland for 40 years.  Fred Sanderson was such an influential part of First Baptist Church, Nederland that the Church celebrated “Sanderson Day” in 1958.   Jerry was a member of the First Baptist Church of Nederland for her entire life until she left this world at the age of Eighty-Four.
Jerry was beloved by all those who knew her, especially her family.  Jerry was married to her husband, Kenneth Carol “K.C.” Mitchell, for sixty – five years.  Jerry was a devout Christian and faithful Southern Baptist who spent most of her spare time at First Baptist Church of Nederland.  She loved serving others and serving the Lord.  Jerry loved cooking, taking care of her family and spending time with friends and loved ones.  She always had an open home and an open heart.  She was warm, nurturing, caring and was an eternal optimist.  Jerry always had a smile and a hug for everyone.  Jerry was an absolutely amazing cook (although she always burned the bread!), and she made a place at her table for everyone who came through her door.  She was dearly loved.  She will be dearly missed.
Jerry is predeceased in death by her brother Donald Sanderson and her sister Betty Sanderson Ritchie Prejean.  She is survived by her spouse Kenneth Carol “K.C.” Mitchell, her two children, son Richard “Ricky” Mitchell and his wife, Cynthia “Cindy” Mitchell, and daughter Linda Treme and her husband, Larry Treme, of Nederland; her five grandchildren, Tim Treme and his wife Crystal, Tad Treme and his wife Haley, Jamie Matuska and her husband Ryan, Lindsey Scott and her husband Will, and Clint Mitchell and his wife Holly, all of Nederland.  Jerry is also survived by her thirteen great grandchildren, Keller and Emerson Treme, Tyler, Hadlee and Tanner Treme, Beck, Sloane and Liv Matuska, Kate and Bell Scott, and Jett, Jax, and Drake Mitchell.
Visitation will be on Saturday, January 23, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Nederland. Her Funeral service will be at 2:00 PM Saturday in the Sanctuary at First Baptist Church in Nederland with Rev. Jason Burden, pastor of First Baptist, officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Bluff Memorial Park under the direction of Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors.