This episode is dedicated to my late wife, Dr. Monica Mouton Sanders. She passed away Feb. 13,2014 @ 4:10 P.M. from cancer at 39 years of age. We have four daughters all under the age of 9. I got through this show but it was tough! Please pray for us!!!
Obituary:
Monica was born on May 4, 1974, to the delight of her parents Curley and Earline Mouton, in New
Iberia, Louisiana. Her early years were nurtured by a loving immediate family and a closely knitted
extended family. Her education began at St. Edward Elementary School and continued at Mt. Carmel
School for Girls through eighth grade. She graduated from New Iberia Senior High School in May of
1992.
She entered Xavier University in the fall of 1992 and majored in psychology.
During her years at Xavier, she interned at several universities including Purdue University and
Michigan State University. After graduating from Xavier in 1996, Monica began a doctoral program at
Michigan State in the Department of Family and Child Ecology with specialization in Marriage and Family
Therapy. She received her doctoral degree in May of 2005. While at Michigan State, she received the
award for outstanding student leadership at the Annual Educational Conference of the Michigan
Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. In 2004, she received the John McAdoo Award from
The National Council on Family Relationships for the research done for her dissertation which focused
on help-seeking options among middle-class African-Americans. Monica was a contributing writer in a
publication authored by Dr. Harriette Pipes McAdoo entitled Black Families.
It was at Xavier that she met a young Detroiter named Hubert Sanders who became the love of her life.
(He offered her a pencil one night at the library which was the start of a beautiful twenty-year journey
together.) Monica and Hubert were married June 26, 1999 at St. Edward Catholic Church in New Iberia
LA. To this union were born four beautiful girls, Gabrielle Elise, Rhea Noelle, Michelle Marian, and Nylah
Anlaurelle. Another child was conceived but miscarried, whom she now joins among the angels in
Heaven.
Monica’s spiritual life was nurtured at an early age at both St. Edward Catholic Church and Mt. Zion
Baptist Church where she attended regularly with her mother. Her faith walk intensified during
graduate school as she and Hubert began to seek God’s purpose for their lives together. Her quest
for a closer walk with God led to a spiritual path that included regular retreats and daily mass. In
addition to attending mass at her home parish, she attended other local parishes where she
encountered many spiritual partners, some of whom became an integral part of her life and her
family.
Monica’s work experience included a position as therapeutic clinician for the Lutheran Social Service,
adjunct instructor at the University of Michigan, and instructor for Phoenix University and Capella
University. Monica’s work experience was interrupted in November of 2011 with a diagnosis of breast
cancer. During these two years, she worked hard to change her life style( diet, personal habits, etc.) to
more life-sustaining choices. Her most rewarding work was her last “job,” homeschooling Gabrielle (3rd
grade), Rhea(1st grade), and preparing Michelle to enter Pre-K in the fall, a labor of love from which she
never tired…until cancer reared its ugly head one last time.
Now, left to cherish the beautiful memories of her life and to continue her legacy of “living for Christ” are: her husband (and best friend) Hubert; her four beautiful girls:
Gabrielle Elise, Rhea Noelle, Michelle Marian, and Nylah Anlaurelle; parents Curley and Earline Mouton; one brother Shawn (Yvonne); mother and father in-law Reverend
Deacon Hubert and Wanda Sanders; one sister-in-law Kimberly(special friend Trey Graddy); three nephews, Brandon Mouton, Jayden Mouton, and Devin Mouton; one
niece, Laila Janae Mouton; dear cousins who inspired her and help mold her life into the beautiful person that she became; and a host of dear friends and acquaintances who
touched her life with so many acts of love. Monica left this life with a heart filled with love and gratitude for the many “angels of love” that appeared at her door every day.
by 
I am amazed by your strength!! To be able to share this pain in an effort to win souls for Christ… The Lord is going to bless you beyond what you can imagine! That… I know for sure!! I love you with all my heart! And am soo happy and proud that God choice you to be my big brother! Thank you Jesus!
Hello Brother Hubert,
I just want to take this time to thank you for your message dedicated to your late wife Monica. It was a spiritual inspiration to me as a man of God and a husband of over 10 years. I pray for your strength and the strength of your family. May God continue to put his comforting arms around you and your daughters during this difficult time.
Thanks Sam! Means a lot.
Hubert…Just watched this beautiful tribute to Monica. Your girls are so lucky to have had Monica, even though their time with her was short, she was an amazing mother and representative of our faith! You are a wonderful and loving father. Your girls are not only a beautiful reflection of the love Monica and you have given them, but also the love their grandparents have showered them with. The sisters of Claudia, their husbands and children, think and pray for you and your girls every day, and we consider you a welcome extension of our large and somewhat crazy and disfunctional(at times!!) family….if you’ll have us! Until the next time I see you and your daughters, I will remember and pray for you this Mother’s Day, and my prayer will be that I can be as holy and deserving of my title as “Mother” to my daughters as Monica was. God bless the Sander’s family. Carol & family
Thanks Carol! I definitely want to be a part of your family!
Thanks for your words of inspiration and sharing your story. We are not strangers but part of the huge family of God. God bless you and our prayers are with you and the meals will keep coming.
Greetings Brother Sanders,
Praise God for the strength of the Lord and the Truth. You are blessed and highly favored. I am so glad to see that you are carrying on in the loving memory of your eternal wife. You had a blessed union and are a living example of the Love, Peace and Understanding that God provides. Thank you for sharing and teaching the children that are watching the meaning of courage and the living by faith and not by sight.
God Bless you and your daughters.
Mr. Sanders I am amazed by your great strength. This was an amazing tribute to your wife, and she watches over you and your daughters everyday. Keep your faith strong, and trust in God’s plan. If there is ever anything I could help you with I’m here for you and your family.
God bless,
Nick Luce
Thanks Nick!
What a vodcast; thanks for sharing! Loved the accompanying music as well (Earl Klugh?).
It was great finally meeting you in person yesterday.
Peace of our Shepherd to you and yours.
Thx Anne! Thanks for taking the time to stop by!!
Hubert,
This was an amazing tribute to your beautiful wife Monica. You reminded me of some of the steps my wife and I had climbed along her path to her Jesus. Your a good man Hubert Sanders, except for the Brother Rice thing. As you know my wife worked for the U of D High School!
Nole Wolf
Thanks Nole!
You are the man Mr. Sanders! Amazing tribute sir. We are so very lucky to have you here at Rice and I am looking forward to you teaching my boys.
Thanks, Mr. Venos!
This was beautiful Hubert! May the peace and love of God continue to strengthen you all. It has been over 20 years since we’ve seen you guys (New Orleans) but kept up to date via Christi. Blessings to you and your girls…continually in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in Heaven sweet Monica.