Austin Lawrence Sanford was born January 31, 1934, in Covington County. On December 24, 2025, at the age of 91, surrounded by his family, he passed peacefully from this life to his eternal heavenly home.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home, with a graveside service following at Floral Hills Memory Gardens.
He was a kind, loving husband to his wife, Vivian of 75 years, Daddy to his children and Papaw to his grandchildren.
He worked for Capital Vending Company for 50 years. His co-workers and family gave him the nickname "Smiley" because he always had a smile on his face. If you knew him, you loved him.
He always put God first and was a faithful servant to the Lord and his church. He was a true spiritual leader for his family.
He loved music and playing guitar for his church and with his friends and family that would gather at his home often to play their guitars. His favorite times were spent with his family, on trips, or just at home.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Cresie Sanford, his brothers Carly (Lillian) Sanford, Arie (Dorothy) Sanford, Stanley (Velma) Sanford, Dewey Royce (Evelyn) Sanford, Ruel (Fern) Sanford, sisters Pauline Sanford, Margie (Leland) Lee, Anlois (Bud) Moss, Ruby (James) Craft, and Vonceil (Paul) Butler, daughter in law Carol Sanford, great-great grandson Ledger Scott Sanford and many in laws and cousins that he loved dearly.
He is survived by his loving wife Vivian B. Sanford, sons Eddie Sanford, Todd (Denise) Sanford, daughters Doris Blaine, Pam (Sheldon) Burgess, Andrea (Mack) Shannon, 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews that he loved.
The family would like to thank all of their family and friends for their love and prayers during this time, and a special thanks to Baptist Hospice, his nurse Kathy and Billie for their loving care and respect for him.
His nephew, Rev. Roy Craft, of Lakeview Church in Hattiesburg, will officiate the service. Serving as pallbearers are Ryan Sanford, Clint Sanford, Eric Burgess, Seth Shannon, Jarren Sanford and Brennan Dawkins.
