Lee Sanders

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Levy and Josephine Sanders; brothers, Russell, Earl, and Floyd; sister Ethel, and his twin sister, Betty Jean.

Lee leaves behind his wife of almost 53 years, Wilma Jeanette Buxton; 2 daughters, Cindy and husband Rodger Clark of Starks, Amanda and husband Delbert Bates of Townley, Alabama; son Tom and wife Dana Sanders of Merryville; sister Dorothy Sellars of St Ste Stephan, South Carolina; ex wife Ruby Ballard of Vinton; 3 grandchildren, Logan Bailey, Lee B. Hebert, Skylar Sander; adopted grandchildren Beth, Jeff and Torey Clark, Nick and John Bates, Justin and Summer Masten.

Lee joined the U.S. Navy in January 1944 and Retired on August 10, 1964, after over 20 years. Most of his time was spent on ships. His Tours included Hawaii, Guam, Japan, San Francisco, California, and Jacksonville, Florida. While in the Navy he crossed the International Date Line, went through the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal, and the St. Lawrence Sea-Way. Lee was born in Arkansas and moved to St Stephan, South Carolina at an early age, where he stayed until joing the Navy. He moved to Starks in 1976 to work for Boise Southern as maintenance foreman, retiring in 1986. Lee was a lifetime member of the Starks VFW Post 4759, where he served as Commander and other offices. He and the late Linda McKay held the first blood drive which continues today. He also started serving a full meal before each monthly meeting, which is still continued. Lee is also a lifetime member of the St Stephen Masonic Lodge.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 2, in Hixson Funeral Home of Vinton. The Rev. Elton Barks will officiate. Burial will be in the Starks VFW Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. Saturday until time of service, all at the funeral home. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.