Maxie "Uncle Max" Sanford

Maxie "Uncle Max" Sanford was born to the late William and Emma McDonald Sanford on May 10, 1910, in the Hawthorne community of New Waverly, Walker County, Texas. Maxie was the eighth of thirteen children. Reared up in a religious home, the family was devoted members of Jasper Missionary Baptist Church in Hawthorne. Reaching young adulthood, Maxie left home and moved to Houston. Here he met and married Viola Webster Sanford and shared 56 years together before her passing. There were no children born to this union. Maxie and Viola joined Progressive New Hope Baptist Church and both served in various ministries for over fifty years. Mr. Sanford chaired the Board of Deacons and headed the financial board for more than 40 years. He was twice named the congregation's Man of the Year. In his capacity as chair of the Houston City-Wide Baptist brotherhood he traveled to many conventions and conferences throughout the nation and was afforded numerous honors by national leaders. Maxie was inducted on June 1, 1943, into the United States Army. He served in the 389th Engineer Regiment as a member of the crew that worked on bridges, roads, railroads, and buildings located in combat zones. He fought in the battles and campaigns of Northern France, the Rhineland, the Ardennes and Central Europe, in which his contributions were recognized with a Good Conduct Medal and a European-African- Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars, in addition to other commendations. After concluding his military service, he rejoined William Koen McManus Oil Supply Company, where he was employed prior to WWII, and he went on to build a career with the company that spanned more than four decades. Maxie was honored on his 100th birthday by a letter recognizing him for his service to our country, signed by President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. Maxie was preceded in death by his father William Sanford and mother Emma McDonald Sanford; sisters, Comaneal Hicks, Josephine Hill, Willie Mae Bryant and Emogene Spriggs; brothers, Horn, Orange, Deloch, Alvin, William, Tom V. and John Lee Sanford. He leaves to cherish his memory; two godchildren Viola Langford and Estella Caldwell; his beloved adopted family Gus and Stuart Blackshear; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, loyal cousins, faithful friends and family.