Deacon Sanders

SANDERS, Deacon Roddnie K. - Age 56, passed away Monday, December 28, 2009 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10:30AM Friday, January 8, 2010 at Refuge Temple Church of Flint, G-4400 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11AM, Pastor Seon Thompson officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30AM Friday. Mr. Sanders will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Thursday with family present from 4-6 p.m. Deacon Roddnie K. Sanders “Papa” was born May 11, 1953 in Flint, MI, the loving son of T.B. Sanders and Gaye Walker. Deacon Sanders was a lifelong resident of Flint, where he attended the Flint Community Schools and was a graduate of Northwestern High School “Class of 1972.” He then went on to serve his country in the United States Army. Deacon Sanders later met the love of his life Jolena Sanders and they united in marriage July 1995, together they raised 4 children. He exhibited his talents and passion in the areas of fishing and sports, but he affectionately loved baseball. Deacon Sanders was employed by the Flint Baseball Commission, where he participated as an umpire. He went on to reveal his experience in the sports world to the youth athletic department in the Beecher Community School district, where he coached girls and boys basketball and boys baseball and is known throughout the community as “Coach Sanders.” He was employed by the Rite Aid Distribution Center before his health began to deplete. Deacon Roddine K. Sanders leaves cherishable memories to his wife, Jolena Sanders; children, Torry (Teresa), LaToyia (Dotwan), Clenton (Aleatha) and Brian; 12 grandchildren, Sheila, Shatoria, Dotwan Jr., Shayla, Joy, Taron, Me’khia, Torry Jr., Zaniah, Promise, JaVon, and Jourdyna; 1 great-grandchild, Christian Ezekial; father, T.B. Sanders; brothers, Tyrone (Barbara) Sanders and Donald (Charlotte) Sanders; godchildren, LaVette Flucker, Rodrick Richardson, Kaneisha Davis and Misty Harris; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and a number of family and friends, including Pastor Seon Thompson and our Refuge Temple Family. Deacon Sander was preceded in death by his mother, Gaye Walker; grandparents; aunts and uncles. The family would like to graciously extend their heartfelt appreciation and acknowledgements to: Hurley Medical Center ICU staff, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Dr. Sayed Osama and Dr. Samiullah Sayyid, the entire Beecher Community family, and the many acts of kindness that everyone has displayed in our times of need. Thank you from the Sanders Family.

Deacon Sanders

May 11, 1953 - December 28, 2009