Alana Beth Sanders received her angel wings and was welcomed into Heaven on November 10, 2023.

Alana was born on January 28, 1973 to Alan and Sheila Hardin in Hereford, Texas. She spent her earlier years growing up and attending schools in Hereford, Texas, Roswell, New Mexico, and Stillwater, Oklahoma before moving to Sherman, Texas in 1983.

She completed her elementary, middle, and high school years in Sherman before graduating from Sherman High School in 1991. Alana was an exceptional student and earned the honor of being named the valedictorian of her class. She participated in many activities, but her passion for singing led her to a love for choir. She had a powerful, yet elegant quality to her voice. She enjoyed singing in school choir, at church, friend's weddings and never turned down an opportunity to take the microphone for karaoke.

Alana began a love for the city of Denton when she attended the University of North Texas. There she studied Hospitality Management and graduated with honors in 1994. After graduation, she began her career with the Radisson Hotel in Denton, Texas as their junior director of sales. She had a passion for the hotel industry and worked for several large hotel franchises throughout her career.

This profession led her to the love of her life. She married Burke Sanders on February 28, 2004. Together, they shared a love for many things including cheering on their favorite sports teams, cooking, and most of all, a family tradition of following all aspects of horse racing.

Her most proud moment came when she became the mother of Robert Cole Sanders on March 26, 2007.

She was a dedicated mother to Cole and was by far, his greatest fan in all that he participated in, but especially when he took the field to play football. He is her greatest joy, and she will watch over him with pride for eternity.

Alana is preceded in death by her husband, Burke, and infant daughter, Ava Beth. Survivors include her son Cole Sanders, parents Alan and Sheila Hardin of Prosper, brother Bobby Hardin and wife Hillary of Highland Village, sister Heather Cushing and husband Nick of Argyle, sister-in-laws Felicia Sanders and Maryann Ballotta of Highland Village, and numerous nieces and nephews, along with other family and friends.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Jennings, Tony Hardin, Bobby Hardin, Nick Cushing, Taylor Hardin, Thad Jennings, Cole Sanders, and Bentley Cushing.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an established 529 college fund for Cole Sanders at UGift529.com using code X7G-Z1Z.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 6-8 PM at DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton, Texas. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton, Texas.