Roland "Sonny" Martin Sandlin

After high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps where he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. Following his time in the service, he returned to the Branford area, where he and his wife, Voncile worked her family farm. During those years of tireless work, he also established his own business building poultry houses. He always dreamed of “retiring” from the farm and he and Voncile buying a semi and traveling the country. That dream did not come true, but he did make part of it happen. He drove a semi for almost 30 years hauling mobile homes across the southeast, driving rock trucks and hauling concrete.

After his wife of 45 years passed, he relocated to Gardendale, Alabama, to be with his children and grandchildren. He made friends at the local senior center and loved spending his mornings playing cards. Sonny was a member of the Fultondale Church of Christ.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Voncile; his parents, Roland and Myrtle Sandlin; older brother, Albert Sandlin.

He is survived by his daughter, Machelle (Ryan) Steffen; son, Rob (Amy) Sandlin; grandchildren, Blake, Ryleigh and Jaxon Steffen, Adrian, Alex, Addi and Aden Sandlin; his brothers, Virgil (ChaRue) Sandlin, Daryl (Benita) Sandlin; sisters, Pat (Ben) Lindsey, Pam (Ron) Thayer; and sister-in-law, Charlotte Sandlin. A host of nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 9, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Ridouts Southern Heritage 475 Cahaba Valley Road Pelham, Alabama.