Valerie Lynn Sanders

Valarie Lynn Hardaway Sanders passed away on April 10, 2026 in Millersview, TX at the age of 76. She was born on March 25, 1950 in Odessa, Texas to Jack and Lucille (Bishop) Hardaway.

Valarie had a happy childhood in Monahans, TX, where she grew up with her three siblings Mike, Sharron and Saundra, and the “Hardaway Cousins” who were like additional siblings to her. She attended Monahans High School, where she met Bennie Ford. They married and had their two sons, Trey and Greg. Although their marriage did not last, they remained friends until her death and raised their sons as co-parents. Valarie made her career in retail management and worked for Home Depot until her retirement in 2016. After retirement, she and her husband Duane moved back to Monahans. In retirement, she enjoyed drawing and painting, served as the president of Tau Lambda Study Club, was active in the Ward County Senior Citizens Center and the Republican Committee and was a member of Third and Dwight Church of Christ, but she especially enjoyed attending water aerobics with her “Mermaids.” Valarie loved all things purple and sparkly, looked forward to every opportunity to go out for Mexican food (her favorite) and surprisingly, gained a love for watching MMA fights.

Valarie is survived by her sons, Trey Ford (Daphne), of Abilene, TX and Greg Ford (Micah), of Millersview, TX; grandchildren, Hillary Blare (Bryan), Cameron Ford (Lexie), Merrick Ford, Anthony Ford, and Garrett Ford; great grandchildren, Barrett Blare, Redmond Blare, Jensen Blare, Ruslan Blare, Greyson Ford, Everly Ford, and Lainey Ford; brother Mike Hardaway (Frances); aunt Judy McCoy (Charlie), and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Lucille Hardaway; sisters Sharron Johnson and Saundra Blackmon; and her husband, Duane Sanders.

A celebration of Valarie’s life will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026 at PaulAnn Church in San Angelo, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to PaulAnn Church, 2531 Smith Blvd, San Angelo, TX 76905, or a charity of your choice.