Shawnya Denise Mitchell Sanders

Ms. Shawnya Denise Mitchell Sanders, daughter of the late John Wesley Salley and S. Anita Mitchell-Green was born on August 11, 1979 in Charleston County, Charleston, South Carolina.  

Shawnya transitioned from her earthly life to heavenly life, Thursday December 24, 2020, Christmas Eve at Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro, South Carolina after a single car accident.

Home-Going Celebration will be held Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Walterboro Christian Center, 320 Robertson Blvd., Walterboro, South Carolina.  Jadon Buckner, Host Pastor, Bishop Anthony Myers, Eulogist.  Interment, Ireland Creek Cemetery, Walterboro, South Carolina.  A public viewing will be held Friday, January 1, 2021 at Stephens-Maree-Tracy Funeral Home Chapel of Serenity from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

(FOR THOSE ATTENDING THE FUNERAL, IN ORDER TO GAIN ENTRY OF THE CHURCH, A FACIAL MASK WILL BE REQUIRED AND SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE ENFORCED.) 

Shawnya better known as “Maghony”,” Black Chocolate”, “Black Cat,”” Shawnda (in her daddy’s voice)”, “My Shawnya (in her grandmother’s  voice ) and “Salley Girl “ ( in her mother’s voice) was an  advocate… a force to be reckon with…the mouth piece for the family, her friends, and the community. She was a debater and protector in her own right for those in need. She had a smile that could conquer the world. She had talents everyone would have wanted. She was cosmologist with extraordinary and gifted hands. She was a “songbird of all songbirds”, for God used her voice to speak volumes to others. Shawnya was educated in  the Colleton County School  System , graduate of the Class of 1998. She furthered her studies at Denmark Technical College and the University of South Carolina. She sang with the Colleton County Mass Choir and the Denmark Tech Choir. She sang in several show productions including one for President William Bill Clinton in Washington, D.C. She was also the Homecoming Queen and Ms. Denmark Tech (2000-2001).

Shawnya proclaimed her relationship with Christ at an early age, and served with various churches. She started out in her grandparent’s church, Whosoever Will Prayer band Holiness Church. Shawnya knew God and had a personal relationship with him. She knew her source of strength as she imparted so much into others’ lives.

Shawnya was blessed with her nieces and nephews as her children. Ericko Harley Jr. (Joe Fred) as she affectionately called him, had a special place in her heart.

Shawnya was employed with East Coast Migrant Head Start Project in Bells, South Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida. She had a joy in working with ESLO children, teaching them English. She was a beacon of light to all who knew her.   

She leaves to cherish her memories her mother, Sadye Anita Mitchell-Green, of Walterboro, S.C.; her grandparents , Elder Elliott and Lady Sadye Mitchell; her God-mother, Casandra Vandross; her siblings, Shavone Mitchell, of Walterboro, S.C., Sacajawea (Derrell) Gray, of  Raleigh, North Carolina, Kimberly S. Mitchell of Walterboro S.C., Montess General of Nashville, Tennessee, Jonasia Salley of  Walterboro, S.C.,  Saretta (Zack) Harrison of  Walterboro S.C., Joy Turner of Walterboro, SC, and Natyra Jackson of Greenville, North Carolina;  aunts and uncles Fred (Beatrice) Salley, of Walterboro, S.C., Madeline Salley, of  Walterboro, S.C., Lewis (Leslie) Salley of Walterboro, S.C.,  Cassandra (Leonard) Vandross, of  Goose Creek, S.C.,  Frankie (Bertie) Lights of Summerville, S.C.,  Erika (Robert) Mitchell,  of  Newark, N.J., Elliott (Mattie) Mitchell, of Summerville, S.C., David (Tameka) Mitchell, of Summerville S.C., Gerald Salley of Walterboro, S.C., Angelo J. Mitchell of Beaufort, S.C.  and Charlene Salley, of  New York, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

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