Dorothy Sanders Harper "Momma Dot"

Dorothy Ruth Sanders Harper, age 99, went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 5, 2026, in Tyler, Texas, surrounded by love and family.

Dorothy, also known as Dot (and Momma Dot in her later years), was born on November 5, 1926 in Marshall, Texas, to George Hughey Sanders Sr. and Ruth Lancaster Sanders. She was raised in Marshall, Texas, graduated from Marshall Senior High School in 1943, then received her bachelor of science degree in Secretarial Science from Texas State College of Women (TSCW) in Denton, Texas, which she proudly referred to as "A&M's Sister School," in 1947. While attending TSCW she met the love of her life, Donald Ray Harper, who was attending North Texas State Teachers College, now known as at the University of North Texas, in Denton. Dot loved to tell the story of how she and Don met at the swimming pool playing bridge with friends. Dot and Don shared nearly seventy years of marriage. Together they built a life around family, faith and love.

Dot was a longtime member of the Women's Symphony League in Marshall, Texas. She loved playing bridge, tennis, volunteering as a Camp Fire Girls Leader and being a Garden Club member. She was very active at United Methodist church in Marshall, where she served as a Sunday School teacher. Later on, she and Don began attending First Presbyterian Church in Marshall where they both grew in their faith, love and walk with the Lord. Dot had a spunky personalty and loved life to the fullest!

Dot was preceded in death by her father, George Hughey Sanders Sr.; her mother, Ruth Lancaster Sanders; and her brothers George Hughey Sanders Jr. and Dr. Jack Monroe Sanders.

She is survived by her daughter, Donna Ruth Clements and husband Michael Thomas Clements; daughter, Dottie Rae Bisagno and husband Anthony Joseph Bisagno; her grandchildren: Megan Ray Tarrant and husband Justin Chase Tarrant, Abigail Ann Wesson and husband Aaron Brown Wesson, Anthony Joseph Bisagno Jr. and fiancée Katherine Redding Woolson, Harper Monroe Bisagno and wife Honor Thomas Bisagno, Oliver Beck Bisagno and wife Morgen Wilkes Bisagno; and her great-grandchildren, Michaelann Grace Tarrant and Charlie Monroe Tarrant; all of whom were deeply blessed by her love.

Visitation will be held at 10:15 AM on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Bethel Bible Church Downtown, 202 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler, Texas 75702.

A Celebration of Momma Dot's Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Bethel Bible Church Downtown with Rev. Eric Barton officiating. Pallbearers will be: Mike Clements, Tony Bisagno, Chase Tarrant, AJ Bisagno, Harper Bisagno, Oliver Bisagno, Aaron Wesson, and honorary pallbearer Charlie Tarrant.

Contributions in Dorothy's honor can be made to Hospice of East Texas at https://hospiceofeasttexas.org/giving/memory/ and Bethel Bible Church at https://www.bethelbible.com/give/.

Above all, Momma Dot will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love of life touched everyone who knew her.