Mr. Demetrius Rashad Sanders

SANDERS, Mr. Demetrius Rashad “Meiche” - age 20, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Sparrow Hospital-Lansing, MI. Family hour 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Cathedral of Faith Ministries COGIC, 6031 Dupont St. with funeral service commencing at 12 p.m. Pastor Christopher Martin officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy., Mt. Morris, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 11 a.m. Saturday. 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 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Mr. Demetrius Rashad “Meiche” Sanders was born on July 31, 1993 in Flint, Michigan, the son of Samuel Sanders III and Evangelist Alverma Denise (Smith) Sanders. Demetrius was an outstanding young man. From birth we knew he was predestined for awesome things. Meiche loved GOD and GOD’s people. He spent much of his early years enjoying gospel music, singing along with his Granny Smith watching Christian television. He was “trained in the way that he should go” and at an early age, Meiche began his Christian walk as the first Sunday school student in “cradle roll” class. His dedication to the Lord stimulated his love for Sunday school, Sunshine Band, and Purity Class. Meiche was overjoyed to serve as his grand-dad’s (the late Dr. Zack Smith, Sr.) assistant. Demetrius was always willing to serve others. He spent every summer planting and harvesting the family garden with his granddad and cousins. At age eleven he became a student in Catholic Charities’ Mr. Roger’s “Say No To Drugs Program.” When he completed the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Youth Initiative training, it was no surprise that he would choose to work for the Mr. Rogers program. From the age of fourteen to nineteen he dedicated his summers to the mission of community service. This employment opportunity enabled him to expand his love of people and community. He was also a “newspaper boy” for the Flint Journal for several years. While working for the Flint Journal, Meiche volunteered and worked for the Bridges to the Future, Youth Quest, and Twenty First Century after school programs at Scott, Neithercut, and Cummings Elementary Schools in Flint. Demetrius assisted the Robotics team at Flint Southwestern Classical Academy. He enjoyed tutoring and mentoring students and packing backpacks for the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan’s weekly student food giveaway program as well as sorting shoes for Flint Schools “shoes that fit”, along side his mother. Meichie faithfully participated in food giveaways at Deliverance COGIC and Cathedral of Faith Ministries. He would also help the deacons of Deliverance cook breakfast weekly for the underserved of our community. Demetrius was raised on Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. He was a 2011Honors Graduate of the International Academy of Flint. He was always excelling academically and was a member of the National Student Honor Society and was on the basketball team until eleventh grade. He went on to Mott Community College to study Computer Engineering. Meiche loved music, peanut butter, sports, video games (he is still the Xbox 360 Champ among his cousins and friends). He was currently employed by TRW Automotive Systems of Follerville, MI. Until he was nineteen, Meiche was a member of Deliverance COGIC, which was founded by his grandparents the late Dr. Zack and Mother Alverma Smith. He was a member of the Cathedral of Faith Ministries COGIC, serving in many capacities including the Nu Vision Youth Ministry, Thunder Cats, Ushers, Men’s, and maintenance departments. In his twenty years, Meiche left and imprint on the lives of countless family, friends, and others! Demetrius’ legacy will continue on through his parents, Samuel Sanders III and Evangelist Alverma Denise (Smith) Sanders; sister, Gwendolyn; brother, Jalen Sanders; grandmothers, Rose May-Sanders and Judean Sanders; great-grandmother, Lizzie Palmer; uncles and aunts, Niketta (Michael) Fleming, Elder Zack Jr. (Alta) Smith, Emmanuel (Annie) Smith, John (Donett) Smith, Gwendolyn (James) Richardson, Katrina Smith, Deadrea Smith, Earl King, Bertha Smith, Crystal Davis, Charlie Moody, Johnny Cooper, Freddie Otis, Lizzie Sanders, Patricia Moody, Leroy (Kim) Palmer, Evelyn Coulter, LaTasha (Gary) Solomon; cousins, Keon, Micah and Quinyatta Atkins, Faith and Zack Anthony Smith, Emmanuel Jr., Shaquan and Sherita Smith, Imari, Aleah, John Jr. and Jared Smith, Doris, James, Jr. and Diamond Richardson, Ariel Mizel, Andre Frasier, Allen, and Rachel Coulter, My’Angel Sanders, Shaquille, Imani and Tela Terry; Special friends, Johnathon Blanchard, Simeun McGee, Carl Arthur Jr., JaCquell Price, Keon Stanley, Darien Coolin, Quincey Langston and Elder Cameron Martin; god –parents, Elder Charles and Linda Woods. Demetrius was preceded in death by his grandparents, the late Dr. Zack and Mother Alverma Smith, Deacon Samuel Sanders Jr.; great-grandmother Juanita Ross; and uncle, Sammie Sanders.

Mr. Demetrius Rashad Sanders

July 31, 1993 - February 25, 2014