Robert Leonard Sanford, 56, transformed from this life to the life everlasting at 8 pm Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. Born on January 21, 1961 in Spokane, Washington to James and Elizabeth Stacey Sanford, he grew up in the Grenada and Greenwood areas graduating from Greenwood High School in l979. He moved to Tupelo 28 years ago. Possessed with a strong intelligence and a peaceful, easy disposition, Robert graduated from Mississippi State University in Psychology and devoted his life to the field of mental health as a Therapist. He was a counselor for over 20 years with Region III, Lifecore Health Group in Tupelo until his health failed. He was a communicant of All Saints Episcopal Church in Tupelo. Robert was a kind, caring soul who enjoyed fishing, was an avid reader, loved a good golf game and, most of all, was devoted to his parents, his siblings, his two children and his only grandson, Nico, who knew him as “Bob Bob”.
A service memorializing his earthly pilgrimage will be held at 11 AM Saturday, August 26, 2017 at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with the Reverend Dr. Billy Walton officiating. Visitation will be from 9 AM-service time on Sat. only. A graveside committal service will take place at 3 PM in the Sanford family plot at Bethel Cemetery in rural Carroll County, near Grenada. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving the family.
Survivors include his two children; Stacey Sanford (Marco D’emido) and son, Nico, of Oxford and Matthew Sanford of Birmingham, Ala. His parents, Jim and Liz Sanford of Plantersville. His brothers, Andrew Sanford of Tupelo and Edward Sanford of Grenada. He was preceded in death by his sister, Louise on Sept. 27, 2016.
Gratitude is expressed to Sanctuary Hospice for their loving care his final days. The family requests that memorials be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS. 38802.
