Willie Sanders

Celebration of Life Services for Deacon Willie D. Sanders will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 11:00AM. Location: Macedonia Baptist Church 4195 Highway 80 West - Montrose, Georgia. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Rev. Isaac Lawson will serve as eulogist.

Willie Dean Sanders was born in Dublin, Georgia, on Monday, March 31st, 1947, to Johnny Sanders and the Late Mary Gilmore Sanders. He was one of ten children, six boys and four girls.

Willie Dean Sanders received his education in the Laurens County School District in his early, formative years. At the age of thirteen, he left school and the State of Georgia, moving to Tampa, Florida. There he worked various odd jobs to survive and take care of himself. He along with a group of friends, other young men who had left their rural and complex home environments, set their sights on south Florida. The group moved to Miami, Florida and continued to work to make ends meet. Just getting by was never appealing to Deacon Sanders so he worked hard to learn various skills and tasks which afford him the opportunity to advance on jobs. He worked as a salesperson/delivery driver for Wise Snack Company and then later found his niche in the construction industry, becoming a heavy-duty machine and equipment operator and eventually operating his one small construction company, handy man, and consulting services. An excellent cook, he also established and opened Sanders’ Country Kitchen, an eat in and carry out soul food restaurant, in addition to Sanders Catering, both he operated for many years, sometime simultaneously with other jobs. He was a hard, dedicated work. An early riser, before the Sun was up, he was up. Deacon Sanders also worked as the “Roadie” and Merchandise Manager for Blonja Entertainment Management, Inc. traveling with his son, Recording Artist Johnny Sanders. In his later years, he developed a love for selling fresh produce, watermelon, peaches, collard greens, strawberries, and tomato were just some of the items he sold for years, both in Florida and Georgia.

Deacon Sanders was favored twice with love. At the age of twenty-six he wed his first wife, the late Min. Jean B. Hodge Sanders, on his birthday, March 31, 1972. The two were blessed with four children, two boys and two girls, one who was still born. Deacon and Minister Sanders work together to raise their family, but also build a life. Both believe in entrepreneurship and education. Encouraging their children to do and be the best they could be. They had been married for 36 years which ended when the Lord called his beloved wife home March 6, 2008.

On May 28th, 2011, he wed his second wife, Mrs. Patricia Richardson Sanders. The two raised their great-great nephew Armond Richardson into adulthood. Together they served at their local church, supported, and loved each other. Traveling and spending time with family were highlights of their lives until Deacon Sanders began to have health challenges. In this season, his beloved wife was a steadfast caregiver, standing by his side and working diligently to ensure he was cared for until she was no longer able to do so. At the end of this month, they would have celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary.

Deacon Sanders was blessed with seven children. His eldest son, Mr. Andre Sampson; a bonus son, the Late Ernest Hunt; his son, the late Willie Gilmore; his daughter Jeanette Jones; his son Johnny Sanders; his daughter Janis Mosley; and his daughter Magdalene Sanders (stillborn). He loved and cared for his family dearly.

Deacon Sanders was intentional about enjoying his life. A music lover and singer, his home and vehicles were filled with the absolute best music from the Blues, R&B, and Pop to Gospel, and all good music in between. He enjoyed fishing, liked amusement parks and rides. He liked road trips, but later became ok with flying. He was a jack of many trades and most he absolutely mastered. He was gifted with his hands and his ability to figure out and fix things. He was a man’s man…football, basketball, pool, cards, he was the guy. He liked having a good time. Riding bikes, playing board games, skating, he could seeming do it all. He was a snazzy dresser and has been called the “Boot King” for his impressive, exotic skins’ boot collection, with matching belts usually. He was a straight shooter, he said what he meant and meant what he said. Point, Blank, Period. He was a giver, supportive and helpful. He believed in having nice things, but also believed in holding on to and saving a dollar. A one of his all-time favorite things to do was to watch westerns, over and over and over again. Even those westerns he had already seen over and over and over again! He liked to laugh and see other people having a good time. He was a uniquely, gifted, and complicated, special great man who is already sorely missed.

In the early morning of Saturday, April 27th, 2024, Deacon Willie Dean Sanders answered the call to enter from labor to rest, leaving this world, its joys, cares, and burdens behind. He was proceeded in death by his parents and all his siblings, his first wife, two sons and a daughter. He leaves to mourn, cherish, and celebrate his life and legacy, his wife Mrs. Patricia Richardson Sanders; his children: Andre Sampson (Velda) Kingsland, Georgia; Jeanette Jones, Miami, FL; Min. Johnny Sanders, Ed.D. (ABD), Miami, Florida; and Janis Mosley (Lyle), Alpharetta, GA.; Grand Children: Shaquivia, William, Richard, Janet, Dominque, Alyssa, Annaka, Khalid, Shanyah, and Natasha. Great grands: Jeremiah, Ashton, and Ava-Nolle. Goddaughter Nevoy Shephard, His mother-in-love, Mary Louise Gause and sister-in-love, Deloris Hodge; and a host of brothers and sisters in law, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, extended family, and friends. His St. James Christian Fellowship Church Family/Rev. Mack Jackson, Pastor (Tennille, GA) and his Bethel Apostolic Temple Faith Family/Rev. Dr. Carol Nash Lester, Pastor (Miami, Florida).

Public Viewing will be held Friday, May 10, 2024 from 10:00AM-8:00PM at the funeral home.

Serenity Funeral Home - Dublin has charge of arrangements.

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