Charles Clifford Sanford III

On April 20, 1963, God blessed Charles Clifford Sanford Jr., and Dorothy Cummings Sanford with a son, Charles Clifford Sanford III. Charles Clifford Sanford III transitioned from this life on June 3, 2023, at the age of sixty (60).

Charles Clifford Sanford III was born in Boston, Massachusetts and relocated to Atlanta Georgia to live with his Grandmother the late Mrs. Christine Sandford. He would soon attend Jim Cherry and Montgomery Elementary. Charles was educated in the Dekalb County School System, graduating from Chamblee High School in 1981. Charles was an avid athlete and ranking Football and Wrestling star.

Charles matriculated at Atlanta University and took an alternative path and enrolled in the managerial program for Church’s Chicken. He was passionate about culinary arts and demonstrated management skills very early. He went on to leave his footprint in the food industry at Bojangles and later on branching out providing car wash services and landing a Management career with a logistics delivery company. He was blessed with the ability to bring people together, and most remembered by his willingness to to help anybody and serve others with joy.

He met the love of his life, Elaine Henderson while a student at Chamblee High School. They were married on Valentine’s Day in 1983, and he promised to love and cherish her until death. For 40 years he did just that. Their union was blessed with one son: Charles Clifford Sanford IV. (Gained his wings in 2015). Charles showered his son with a father’s love as Cliff was his pride, joy and beloved son.

Charles was fun, loving and had a jovial spirit. He loved sports, and spent his free time watching various sports games live and on TV. Charles was a car enthusiast and had a great appreciation for music as a self-taught bass guitarist who loved the Lord. While growing up in church, Charles became a Jr. Deacon at the historic Zion Baptist Church of Doraville, GA. Charles also later became a Jr. Mason. Charles was always willing to lend a hand to his friends and family.

Charles is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Elaine Sanford; parents, Charles and Dorothy Sanford Jr.; daughter in law, Ciara Sanford; sister, Denise Sanford; mother in law, Freddie Mae Henderson; brother and sister in laws, Dexter and Michele Sharpe, Dwight and Keisha Henderson; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and family.

A visitation for Charles will be held Friday, June 9, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at H.M. Patterson & Son-Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road Ne, Atlanta, GA 30319. A graveside service will occur Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, 3477 Pierce Drive, Chamblee, GA 30341.