Jeanette Sellers

Former Brandon resident Jeanette Anderson Sellers passed away February 4, 2022 in Auburn, AL. Born March 31, 1933, in Lamar County Mississippi, she was the 12th and youngest child of Jack and Pearl Anderson. She developed a love for music at an early age, and sang alto in choirs from the time she was a teenager. She could harmonize with any melody she heard, and even sang regularly in a quartet on the radio as a young woman. She graduated Salutatorian of her class at Lumberton High School, but her plans for college education were cut short by the care needs of aging parents.

Her steel-trap memory and razor-sharp administrative skills made her extremely valuable to everyone she worked for. Working for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, she caught the eye of Bill Sellers, a fiery red-headed young Minister of Music whom she married on September 23, 1961. They served churches in Vicksburg, Meridian, and Canton – eventually settling in Brandon in 1970 when Bill’s ministry found him employed with the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.

Jeanette loved children, and worked for many years as a school secretary in the Rankin County School system, then as secretary to the Superintendent of Education with Rankin County Schools. After a time as secretary at FBC Brandon, she finished her professional career working at Hinds Community College. In 2006 they moved to a retirement community in Clinton, SC to be closer to their younger daughter and her family. “Mama Nette” continued to use her administrative skills, volunteering in the office of First Baptist Church and with the Bailey Manor retirement community (for which she earned statewide recognition).

She was well-regarded as an excellent cook, and ministered to many families by providing delicious meals. Her family has always said that “she loves with food.” Jeanette also enjoyed membership in the Brandon Garden Club for many years, and often won awards for her beautiful floral arrangements.

Jeanette was a loving and doting grandmother. When all of her grandchildren were small and lived far away, she would check out stacks of children’s books from the local library and make personalized cassette tapes for each grandchild with book readings and children’s songs. When visiting her grandchildren, she was known to spend hours tirelessly blowing bubbles with them outside or baking goodies and reading with them indoors.

In addition to her beloved husband of 60 years, she leaves behind two daughters – Alicia (Larry) Braswell of Cleveland, MS; Dawn (Morris) Driggers of Auburn, AL;

grandchildren – Wray (Rachel) Braswell of Garner, NC; Taylor (John) Driggers-McDowall of Glasgow, Scotland; Andrew Braswell of Atlanta, GA; Caitlyn (Garrett) Perkins of Cary, NC; Benjamin Driggers of Auburn, AL; Lucas (Reanne) Braswell of Cleveland, MS

great-grandchildren – Zoë Perkins; Rex Braswell; Ezra Perkins; Rob Braswell

brother-in-law – Ronald Sellers of Cleveland, TN

favorite niece – Constance (Connie Campbell) Stevens of Bentonia, MS

A public graveside service was held at 2pm on Tues. Feb. 8, 2022 at the Brandon Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Brandon, MS. Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS handled arrangements. The family is deeply grateful for the joyful remembrances shared by all who were able to attend the graveside service. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Mon. Feb. 21, 2022 at Auburn First Baptist Church located at 128 East Glenn Ave. Auburn, AL, 36830. The live stream link to view the memorial service is YouTube.com/AuburnFBC.

Because of Jeanette's love of children, the family request that memorial gifts be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.