Barbara Jean Sanderson

Barbara J. Sanderson, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 15, 2025, at Allure Nursing Home in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. She was 76 years old. A memorial service will be held Friday, September 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Barbara was born on August 3, 1949, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Charles and Claudia (Garrett) McConico. She was the second oldest of ten children, and the eldest daughter. As the big sister, Barbara had a natural sense of care and leadership that stayed with her throughout her life. She and her siblings remained deeply connected, bound by a strong family bond that she helped nurture.

Around the age of ten, Barbara’s family relocated to Chicago, where she later graduated from David Glasgow Farragut High School. After high school, she took on a variety of jobs, always driven by a strong work ethic and an eagerness to support those around her. In her younger years, Barbara even worked as a model, and her beauty—both inside and out—was undeniable.

In 1975, she married Joseph Burris Jr., and the following year, the couple moved to Savanna, Illinois, where they raised their family and built a life together until Joseph’s passing in 1993. Barbara later found love again and married Edward Sanderson in 2009, with whom she shared her later years.

Barbara worked at Eaton Corporation for more than 12 years, a testament to her dedication and resilience. After retiring from Eaton, she continued to care for others as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna for five years. A devoted mother and grandmother, Barbara’s heart was always with her family. She took pride in her vegetable garden and enjoyed canning the harvest. In her spare time she enjoyed fishing and trips to the casino.

Despite her own health challenges, Barbara never stopped checking in on friends and neighbors. Her compassion knew no limits—if someone needed a helping hand or a kind word, Barbara was always there. She was a true friend, a listening ear, and a source of strength for many in her community.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Edward Sanderson; her two children, Robert McConico and Kimberly McConico; four grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her cherished siblings: sisters Carolyn Jones, Gloria McConico, Linda McConico, and Pamela (Edward) Williams; and brothers Charles McConico Jr., Edward (Kimberly) Cleveland, and Raymond (Michelle) McConico.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Claudia and Charles; her first husband, Joseph Burris Jr.; her siblings, Leon and Victoria; one brother-in-law, Odie Jones; one daughter-in-law, Trojuanna (Kiki) McConico; and an infant child.