Emmett Sanders, 86, died Thursday, July 21st, after a lengthy illness. Emmett was born July 19, 1930, in Gurley, Alabama. He attended and graduated from Madison County High School with classes of 1947 and 1948. After graduation, he farmed with his father until he enlisted in the United States Army in 1950. He served two years in Korea; upon his return to Alabama in 1952, he married Dorothy Gipson. In 1961, Emmett became Deputy Director of the Madison County License Commissioner’s Office. Five years later, he became License Commissioner and served in that position until his retirement in 2000.
He became a member of Maysville Church of Christ in 1960 and served as an Elder for more than forty years. Throughout his life, Emmett enjoyed farming, gardening, and working in his yard. He was a lifelong fan of Alabama Crimson Tide football and spent many fall Saturdays attending games with his family. Some Saturdays were happier than others but he always had a fine time and made new friends.
Emmett was preceded in death by his son, Michael Sanders; his parents, Dock and Ruby Sanders, and his brother, Edward Sanders. He is survived by his wife of sixtythree years, Dorothy Gipson Sanders; his daughter, Donna Pate; three grandchildren, Michael Daniell (Lauren); Mary Ruth Pate; and Margaret Anne Tucker (Grayson); two greatgrandchildren, Sanders and Isabelle Daniell; three sisters, Catherine Edwards (Willard); Margie DeArmond; and Pat Wyatt (Fred); three sisters-inlaw, Betty Sanders, Jimmie Edwards (Thomas), and Bee Corum; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to his dedicated caregivers: Jessica Rice, Nita Duncan, Debbie Garceau, Dorothy King, Melissa Sanchez, and Torri Prince; as well as special thanks to Dr. Butch Kinzer and Dr. Amit Arora. Visitation will be on Monday, July 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Maysville Church of Christ, 3017 Gurley Pike; Gurley, Alabama. Funeral service will begin at 2:00. Interment will follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia Society; 100 Chase Park South, Suite 220; Birmingham, AL 35244 and the Big Oak Ranch; P.O. Box 507; Springville, AL 35146. Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.
