Virginia Rooks Sanderson, 84, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2017 with her family by her side at the Bob and Carolyn Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis, NC. She was born in Pender County on November 11, 1932, the daughter of the late Major Allison and Sabrey Sikes Rooks. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Henry Lawrence (H.L.) Sanderson, Jr., who died on the same date of May 21 five years earlier; her sister Nancy Rooks Rushing, brothers, Melza Rooks, Richard Rooks and Al Rooks; and a son-in-law, James Fauver. She resided in the Long Creek community for many years prior to moving to Duplin County with her family. For decades she worked in her family's businesses. She was awarded the American Business Women's "Woman of the Year" award in 1982 and was a Duplin County chairperson for the American Cancer Society for several years. She was a volunteer in 4-H, and an active member of Dobson Chapel Baptist Church of Magnolia, NC. Her creative talents were as outstanding as her business savvy. She won numerous awards for her crochet and embroidery, and crocheted afghans for area nursing homes. She was a caregiver to many in the community, including her husband during his extended illness. She, like her husband, continued their legacy of helping others through anatomical gifts to Anatomy Gifts in Maryland. After retiring to Myrtle Beach, SC and Holden Beach, NC, she was active in the Red Hats Society and Ocean View Baptist Church of Myrtle Beach, SC. Virginia is survived by her children, Larry Sanderson and wife, Sandra, Jeanette Sanderson, Ellen Bellini and husband Luigi, Mary Porter, and Betty Nance-Floyd and husband, Jim; grandchildren, Mary-Margaret Porter, Christopher Jenkins, Anthony Sanderson and wife, Kennedy, Andrew Nance, Ivan Bellini, Kristen Fauver Corcoran and husband, Rich, Michelle Fauver, Brian Fauver and wife, Laura; great grandchildren, Harriet Sanderson, Madeline Corcoran, Annabelle Fauver, and Emmeline Fauver; sister Irma Keith and brother Lewis Rooks.