Dea. Willie James Sanders, Jr.

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Sixty-six years ago, on April 19, 1959, a son was born to Willie James, Sr. and Bobbie Sanders of Selma, Alabama. Willie was nurtured and cared for by his parents with the help of the Lord, and he was a great Man of Valor and Man of Power.

Willie gave his life and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior over thirteen years ago. He was baptized and became a disciple of Greater Kingdom Citadel in Selma, Alabama, where he served until his membership transferred to Second Missionary Baptist on November 21, 2021. At Greater Kingdom Citadel under the leadership of Bishop Wade Channing Jackson, he was ordained to the sacred office of Deacon in the Lord’s Holy Church. He responded to the call of Christian ministry to fulfill and exercise the work of the Kingdom of God through its Sovereign, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, having been chosen name of “good report”, full of the Spirit and Wisdom,” and capable of fulfilling the office. He then received a Certificate of Ordination to Deaconship at Second Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Davon Simpson on November 19, 2023.

Willie was the “Maintenance Technician” at The Epworth House for over thirteen years. He also owned his business, “Sanders Home Improvement”, specializing in pressure washing, painting, and carpentry. He met his beautiful wife at GKC, Patricia JoAnne Sanders. Willie and Patricia exchanged vows and began their lives together as husband and wife on Sunday evening, December 10, 2017.

Willie peacefully and gracefully departed this life on Friday, July 11, 2025, surrounded by his wife, family, and close friends.

Willie was preceded in death by his mother Bobbie Sanders, and his father, Willie James Sanders, one sister, Rose Sneed, one brother, Robert Williams, one niece, Lashelle Sanders, three nephews, Rodrick Marshall, Jermaine Sanders and Bernard Sneed, eleven aunts, Callie Peoples, Louvenia Blevins, Bama Richardson, Doris Lanier, Mary Neil Mitchell,  Pearline Oden, Eunice Haynes, Janie Sanders, Irene Sanders, Mattie Turner, Oliva Smith seven uncles, I.V. Williams, J.T. Williams, R.C. Williams, Ben Albert Williams, Elijah Williams, Wilbur Sanders, Dave Sanders, and a special family friend, Mr. Charlie Ford.

Willie leaves to cherish so many wonderful and loving memories with his wife, Patricia JoAnne Sanders, one daughter, Shemeka Ivy, one son, Marteze (Tanya) Ivy, and one granddaughter, Makenzi Ivy, seven sisters, Velma (John) Shuford, Shirley Rudolph, Barbara (Sylvester) Malone, Dorothea Bennett, all of Selma, Alabama, and Stephanie Sanders, Prattville, Alabama., Joyce Ivy and Velma Hunt, Cairo, Illinois, two brothers, Jessie and Emmanuel (Mary) Sanders, both of Selma, Alabama, four aunts, Maggie Brewer of Chicago, Illinois, Mrs. Dale Williams, Sanford, Florida, Mrs. Shirley Jordan, Cairo, IL., and Mrs. Velma, Brown, Washington, DC, one longtime dear friend, Clarence McGahee, a work-buddy friend, Mr. George Tarver, one longtime Church Mother friend, Mother Eva Halloway. One Mother-in-Law, Mrs. Deloris Hunt, as well as a great host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 12 Noon from Second Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Dr. Davon Simpson, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Pineview Memory Gardens with Aubrey Larkin's Lewis Brothers Funeral Home serving with excellence through professional service.  Deacon Sanders will lie in repose one hour prior to the funeral hour at the church.

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