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Zoe Dutrow Sanders Obituary
Zoe Dutrow Sanders
Columbia, SC - Zoe Dutrow Sanders, 87, slipped away peacefully in her sleep on January 23, 2026, in Columbia, South Carolina. She was born in Columbia on March 15, 1938, the daughter of Ray H. Dutrow and Margaret Stork Dutrow. She was graduated from Columbia High School and the University of South Carolina.
She worked all her life beginning in high school at Haltiwanger's Department store in downtown Columbia where she developed her sense of style often designing her own clothes. In eleventh grade she was chosen Miss Columbia High. After graduating from USC, she began working at the State Department of Education. At that time, as a hobby she learned to shoot skeet and quickly became a state champion winning over both men and women on the skeet shooting circuit.
She married Alexander Mullings Sanders in 1964. Their daughter Zoe Caroline was born in 1967. From the 1960's to 2002 she supported her husband's career in politics campaigning and making speeches throughout the State. She was a lifelong Democrat. She took cancer patients to their treatments. She was awarded the Order of the Palmetto - something no one in her family had ever received. She was a great athlete and runner. She only had two regrets: not running a marathon and never learning how to swim.
She had a great love for all animals, founding the South Carolina Humane Society. She was president of both the Richland County SPCA and the South Carolina Humane Society. She worked tirelessly to prevent cruelty to all animals specially focusing on dog fighting, cock fighting, cruelty to Tennessee Walking Horses and general neglect of all animals. She was not afraid of having someone arrested. In the 1980s and early 90's she managed the kitchens of two large churches in Columbia, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and Trenholm Road United Methodist Church. She, along with volunteers, fed thousands - both members of the churches and the homeless. She was a great cook. Her biscuits were a favorite. She not only fed the homeless, she made friends with them often having a friend or two for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and to live with Zoe and Alex for a while.
In 1992, she moved from Columbia to Charleston when her husband became president of the College of Charleston. She took on the new role as hostess to this historic college bringing both her sense of elegance and style to those that worked at the College to those who attended and taught at the college and to donors. Her work at the College culminated in the cookbook she wrote "Entertaining at the College of Charleston." The book has raised over a half a million dollars in scholarships for those seeking to attend the College. Her portrait hangs in the new library at the College of Charleston in recognition of all her contributions to the school.
Her husband says every good idea he ever had was her idea or their idea together and every bad idea was his idea all by him himself. They met in four -year-old kindergarten and were married for 61 years.
Zoe loved her family and friends and was much loved in return. She loved her black poodle named Rabbit.
Zoe was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Del Dutrow and her brother-in-law Ronald E. Miller, Sr. She is survived by her husband Alexander Mullings Sanders, her daughter Zoe Caroline Sanders and Zoe Caroline's partner Robert Galloway, grandsons, William Norman Nettles, Jr., and Alexander Sanders Nettles, her sister-in-law Henrietta Sanders Miller and nephew Ronald E. Miller, Jr.
Funerial services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Columbia, South Carolina on January 31, 2026 at 2:00pm with visitation afterwards at the church. A private burial will be held at a later date.
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Memories and Condolences
for Zoe Dutrow Sanders
Sarah 'Sally' Mabry
Yesterday
Judge Sanders, as that is how I remembered you, as my father would mentioned his deep admiration he had of you and your lovely wife Zoe Dutrow. When I was a younger child I recall how my father would make contragulatory compents on your lovely wife's abilities as a skeet shooter and mentioned her love of nature. I recall the location when there would be a reminder, most likely going by the range, on our rides to Shaw AFB. He extended his conversation on his deep admiration for you as well. I was most impressed reading a Pat Conroy book and noted your foreword contribution bringing back those memories with my Daddy. His name was Buford Mabry RIP; as I enjoyed those moments with him and he taught me how he appreciated others and their accomplishments; a trait I like to share as well.
Tippy Stern Brickman
January 30, 2026
With our deepest sympathy
Zoe was wonderful
Tippy Stern and Michael Brickman
Zoe Caroline Sanders
January 29, 2026
Dear friends, my mothers funeral has been rescheduled to Feb 14., 2026. 2pm. Trinity Cathedral, Columbia SC.
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Zoe Sanders
January 29, 2026
Dear friends, the funeral and visitation have been rescheduled to February 14 at 2pm Trinity Cathedral, Columbia SC
Nancy Brock
January 29, 2026
My sincerest condolences to Alex, Zoe Caroline, and other family members. I got to know Zoe when I worked on the Sanders for US Senate campaign. She was a great lady, an honor to the State of South Carolina, and a wonderful cookbook writer.
Bert Goolsby
January 28, 2026
Alex, I am so sorry about your loss. Having lost my own wife, I know exactly how you feel. It is a loss you will never quite get over. Bert
The Shumate Family
January 27, 2026
Alex and Zoe Caroline,
Debbie and I were so sorry to hear of Zoe´s passing. She was such a wonderful and amazing lady! We appreciate everything she did for the College of Charleston and the Shumate family over the years. While the world has lost such a vibrant soul, Heaven has gained one very special angel. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
With Love,
Jackie Shumate Shelor and
Debbie Shumate Capeder
Marion Sullivan
January 26, 2026
It´s hard to believe that this creative soul has passed over. She made a difference everywhere she lived.
My condolences to Alex and Zoe Caroline.
GLORIA BURG
January 26, 2026
I MET ZOE AND ALEX THROUGH COOKING. WE WERE IN A SUPPER CLUB IN COLUMBIA FOR A SHORT TIME AND HAD SO MUCH FUN. ZOE CAROLINE AND MY DAUGHTER STEFANIE, WENT TO HEATHWOOD TOGETHER. ZOE CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH, TO SO MANY THINGS AND PEOPLE. MY SYMPATHIES TO YOU ALEX, AND ZOE CAROLINE.
Ruth Q. Seigler
January 25, 2026
Dear Alex & family, Our sorrow to you. May your great memories sustain you . Our appreciation for Zoe's support for you,when we needed to change nursing legislation she was willing to listen, she also was a strong supporter for scholarships & had great suggestions for how improve college education especially in small state colleges, Lander, Francis Marion, & College of Charleston.With our prayers,
Rallie & Ruth Seigler
Kathryn Williams
January 24, 2026
Alex and Zoe Caroline, I am so sorry for your loss
Ellen Reynolds
January 24, 2026
Zoe and grew up together in the same neighborhood. Zoe, Dell and I shared many happy times together. Condolences to you Alex
Rosa Cherry
January 24, 2026
Alex and family:
It is with great sadness that the DHS Class of 1956 is learniing of dear Zoe’s passing. We loved that she always came to our reunions —despite the fact that she was a Columbia High girl!
We will think of you often during this sad time of transition, and send our sympathy, love, and prayers—
Rosa Cherry
Class communicator for Dreher class of ‘56
Thomas and Carol Stork
January 24, 2026
Saddened to learn of Zoe´s passing.
Beth Stoney
January 24, 2026
Tom & I had the great pleasure of being in a supper club with the Sanders when they lived in Charleston. I always enjoyed talking with Zoe & was impressed with her great contributions to society. Her legacy lives on...
Tom Ervin
January 24, 2026
Alex you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers! Zoe was such a caring lady who meant so much to so many people. She will be greatly missed.
Sylvia Risher Hahn
January 24, 2026
She was special! First met her at Columbia High School. Alex my condolences to you and your family,
Sylvia Risher Hahn
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