Our Team

Rev. Karen E.K. Atkins - Chairperson

I am the daughter of Daisy West Kirkpatrick (Allen), granddaughter of Cleoda Sanders West (William), great granddaughter of Joseph Israel Sanders (Idella Burns), and great-great granddaughter of Henry Clay Sanders (Clora Head). I am married to my amazing husband Calvin and we have a blended family  of 4 loving and beautiful daughters, Deatriss (Brian), Veda (Lee), Latoya and Phantasia Kowasky) and 2 wonderful sons, Calvin and Christopher (LaKisha), 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  I have been coming to the reunions since 1964. My husband and I have hosted the 2000 and 2011 reubions and we are co-hosting the 2027 reunion.

Hi Family!  I am Sharon Wilson and I am currently on the Sanders Reunion Committee Member serving as Treasurer. I am the daughter of Evelyn King and granddaughter of Henry Clay Sanders II.  I am a mother 3 amazing adult children, Aaron, Sean and Brianne.  Along with my husband Gary, and cousins Allen and Sandra Kirkpatrick, I co-hosted the 2019 Sanders Family Reunion in Colorado Springs Colorado.  I have been attending the Sanders Family Reunions off and on since 1983. My passion is to travel around the world.  I also enjoy skiing, roller skating, dancing, golfing, a little hiking and me time. I am looking forward to seeing and getting to know new faces as well as reuniting with familiar faces at next year’s family reunion in Bloomington Illinois.

Allen J. Kirkpatrick, Member-at-Large

Meet your Sanders Reunion Member at Large.

Allen James Kirkpatrick III,  the son of Daisy West Kirkpatrick and Allen James Kirkpatrick  II. Grandson of William West and Cleoda Sanders West. He is married to Sanda Kaye Kirkpatrick and have 3 wonderful sons Terrance (Terry),  Allen (AJ) and Christopher (Chris).  He and his family have been attending the reunions since 2003 with a space in between before joining the military in 1979. I love to fish, travel the world, garden and is a collector of guns and classic cars. He and his wife are retired from the military and has spent a lot of time with family in Europe.

Joseph & Denise Sanders, ans Joanne Pittman, 2025 Host Family

Joseph and Joanne are the Children of Joseph Sr. and Anne Sanders and the grandchildren of
Henry Clay II and Nellie Sanders. Joanne has a son and my fantastic nephew Raymon. Denise
and I were united in marriage in 2006 and have an extended family which includes my son,
Joseph Christopher and 2 granddaughters and Denise’s 3 sons, Christopher (2 grandsons), Brandon (1 grandson), and Michael. Denise and I retired in 2021 and moved back from NW Indiana to Muskogee, Ok to be closer to family. We are always looking for a new “adventure”. We love traveling, biking, golfing, hiking AND love Oklahoma University Football. Joanne and I attended our first family reunion in Denver, Colorado in 1984. I remember having a wonderful time. We have always tried to attend as many reunions as possible. It is always so wonderful to see the familiar faces along with new family members.