Joe Sanders

Joe Nathan Sanders was born May 27th, 1943 in McCalla, Alabama. He is the fourth of ten children born to the late Veamon Sanders, Sr. and Edward Lee Sanders. Veamon, Sr. was called the unofficial "Mayor" of McCalla. Joe grew up attending Spring Chapel Baptist Church and attended McCalla Elementary School. He graduated from Brighton High School in 1962. While growing up in McCalla, Joe played "sandlot" football with Newell Hall of Famers Jesse Davis and Ike Washington wherever they could find a vacant lot with grass.

He moved to New York in 1963 and worked in high-rise construction for thirty-nine years with the Local 40 Ironworkers of NY, where his first major high-rise job was building the World Trade Center. Fifteen of those years were spent working as a Bridge Repairer for the Department of Transportation of New York City. So, we can certainly see why Joe always had a high outlook on life. As part of his job with the city, Joe was at the World Trade Center the night after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Joe said whatever you saw on television, it was far worse to see in person. So, Joe was there when they were built, and he was there the day after it was demolished. During a recent trip to New York, he went to visit the 9/11 Memorial.

On August 30th, 1964, Joe married his childhood sweetheart Gertrude Towns. Soon after, he and his wife relocated to Brooklyn, New York. To this wonderful union was born Joe Anthony and Valerie Deneen.

Starting in the late 1980's Joe and Gertrude attended Bethel Gospel Tabernacle in Jamaica, NY where they both served as Team Ushers for fifteen years.

After retiring in 2007, Joe immediately moved to McDonough, Georgia where he and Gertrude purchased a new home. In 2007 Joe and Gertrude joined Eagles Landing First Baptist Church. Joe served in several capacities and became a member of the Legacy Fellowship Life Group where he was a well-known faithful servant and loved by many.

Joe and Gertrude celebrated fifty-three years of marital bliss.

Joe was a devoted loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. Joe was a very humble, kindhearted person who loved and helped anyone. Joe loved spending quality time with his wife and family. He loved sports, bowling, and traveling.

Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife Gertrude Sanders, by his grandparents, parents and three siblings (Fannie Mitchum, Cleophus Sanders, and Clara Sanders Harris). He transitioned from this earthly life surrounded by his loving family and pastor on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Joe leaves to cherish his memories a devoted and loving son Joe Anthony Sanders (Mary) McDonough, GA. A devoted and loving daughter Valerie Deneen Moore (Darren) McDonough, GA. Loving grandchildren: Tamisha, Matthew, and John Sanders, Brittney Fields (Juwan) and Jaeden Moore. Great grandchildren: Kenzo Ahmir Fields, and Vizion Ari'Myles Sanders. Brothers and Sisters: Veamon Sanders (Sandra) Hoover, AL, Mary McWaine (William) Bessemer, AL, Evelyn Griffin and Dorris Pleasant Birmingham, AL, Gloria Witherspoon (Edward) Montgomery, AL, Larry Sanders (Christine) Dayton, OH; Special cousin: Rufus-Russell Campbell, Father-in-law Sammy Towns Selma AL, Brother-in-law Winfred Towns (Stacey) Chester, VA., Sister-in-law: Priscilla Crenshaw-Lee (Leroy) McDonough GA , Brother-in-law: Oscar Crenshaw (Sharon) West Palm Beach, FL, A host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Joe Nathan Sanders was born May 27th, 1943 in McCalla, Alabama. He is the fourth of ten children born to the late Veamon Sanders, Sr. and Edward Lee Sanders. Veamon, Sr. was called the unofficial "Mayor" of McCalla. Joe grew up attending Spring Chapel Baptist Church and attended McCalla Elementary School. He graduated from Brighton High School in 1962. While growing up in McCalla, Joe played "sandlot" football with Newell Hall of Famers Jesse Davis and Ike Washington wherever they could find a vacant lot with grass.

He moved to New York in 1963 and worked in high-rise construction for thirty-nine years with the Local 40 Ironworkers of NY, where his first major high-rise job was building the World Trade Center. Fifteen of those years were spent working as a Bridge Repairer for the Department of Transportation of New York City. So, we can certainly see why Joe always had a high outlook on life. As part of his job with the city, Joe was at the World Trade Center the night after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Joe said whatever you saw on television, it was far worse to see in person. So, Joe was there when they were built, and he was there the day after it was demolished. During a recent trip to New York, he went to visit the 9/11 Memorial.

On August 30th, 1964, Joe married his childhood sweetheart Gertrude Towns. Soon after, he and his wife relocated to Brooklyn, New York. To this wonderful union was born Joe Anthony and Valerie Deneen.

Starting in the late 1980's Joe and Gertrude attended Bethel Gospel Tabernacle in Jamaica, NY where they both served as Team Ushers for fifteen years.

After retiring in 2007, Joe immediately moved to McDonough, Georgia where he and Gertrude purchased a new home. In 2007 Joe and Gertrude joined Eagles Landing First Baptist Church. Joe served in several capacities and became a member of the Legacy Fellowship Life Group where he was a well-known faithful servant and loved by many.

Joe and Gertrude celebrated fifty-three years of marital bliss.

Joe was a devoted loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. Joe was a very humble, kindhearted person who loved and helped anyone. Joe loved spending quality time with his wife and family. He loved sports, bowling, and traveling.

Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife Gertrude Sanders, by his grandparents, parents and three siblings (Fannie Mitchum, Cleophus Sanders, and Clara Sanders Harris). He transitioned from this earthly life surrounded by his loving family and pastor on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Joe leaves to cherish his memories a devoted and loving son Joe Anthony Sanders (Mary) McDonough, GA. A devoted and loving daughter Valerie Deneen Moore (Darren) McDonough, GA. Loving grandchildren: Tamisha, Matthew, and John Sanders, Brittney Fields (Juwan) and Jaeden Moore. Great grandchildren: Kenzo Ahmir Fields, and Vizion Ari'Myles Sanders. Brothers and Sisters: Veamon Sanders (Sandra) Hoover, AL, Mary McWaine (William) Bessemer, AL, Evelyn Griffin and Dorris Pleasant Birmingham, AL, Gloria Witherspoon (Edward) Montgomery, AL, Larry Sanders (Christine) Dayton, OH; Special cousin: Rufus-Russell Campbell, Father-in-law Sammy Towns Selma AL, Brother-in-law Winfred Towns (Stacey) Chester, VA., Sister-in-law: Priscilla Crenshaw-Lee (Leroy) McDonough GA , Brother-in-law: Oscar Crenshaw (Sharon) West Palm Beach, FL, A host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends