Deacon Johnny Sanders was born on March 11, 1932, in Bastrop County, to the late Modesta Sanders and Ninah Mae Sanders. Baptized at an early age, Deacon Johnny Sanders accepted Christ as his Lord and Saviour at Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church. He attended school in Bastrop, Texas.
Deacon Johnny Sanders was united in Holy Matrimony to the love of his life Lula Mae White Sanders on June 19, 1956, and to this union seven children born.
Deacon Johnny Sanders is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mother Lula Mae Sanders, both his parents, Deacon Modesta Sanders and Mother Ninah Mae Sanders; one daughter, Faye Sanders Egbe; one granddaughter, Olivia Sanders; five sisters, Ella, Hazel, Gaynell, Annie Lee, and Mosely Lee (Sweetie), and five brothers, Modesta, Lawrence, James Edward, Benny, and Dale.
Deacon Johnny Sanders leaves to cherish by his six children, two sons, Johnny Sanders, Jr. and Modesta Sanders; four daughters, Delores Sanders, Ninah Mae Stafford (Adolphus), Alice Nesby (Derek) and Betty Maxwell (Walter); one sister, Lovie Mae Thompson in Dayton Ohio, and one brother, Charles Sanders in Bastrop, Texas; seventeen grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.
Deacon Sanders was employed with the City of Austin in the Sanitation Department for 25 years before retiring. He then resumed his work career at Abbott Laboratories again retiring after 10 years of service. He then worked for himself doing landscaping throughout the Austin area and beyond.
Deacon Sanders was a highly skilled man with multiple talents to include construction, automotive repair, plumbing, and gardening. More than all the forementioned crafts nothing pleased him more than helping his Family. He was always willing and able to lend a helping hand. For he knew that was blessing to give more than it was to receive.
Deacon Sanders loved his church Family, Shiloh Church, as his own Family. Where he served over fifty years as Chairman of the Deacon Board. Leaning and depending on his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Deacon Sanders did not know how to say, “No” because he loved helping those in need including strangers. And he always had encouraging and uplifting words for those in despair.
May the work I’ve done speak for me.
May the life that I’ve lived speak for me.
May the service I’ve given speak for me.
Deacon Sanders’s life preached his homegoing service.
“Welcome home…well done….my faithful servant…serving the Lord has paid off…Rest in Glory….” Deacon Johnny Sanders
