Merida Lynne Venable Sanders, 64, of China, died Monday, September 12, 2011.  Born June 23, 1947, in Beaumont, to Estelle Foux Venable and Eulice Jay Venable; she was a longtime resident of China. Merida spent her last days surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Survivors include her children, John Sanders and his wife, Jeanette of Pearland, Donnie Sanders of Sour Lake, and Sherry McCollum and her husband Chris of Lumberton; father, E.J. Venable of Port Neches; grandchildren, Shelby Sanders, Cody Sanders and his fiance’ Allison Levitas, Blake McCollum, Connor McCollum, Logan Sanders, and Olivia Sanders; and great granddaughter, Lilly Saige Sanders.

Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont with interment to follow at China Cemetery.  A gathering of her family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m, Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at Broussard’s.