James L Sanders

The Rev. James L. Sanders died May 21, 2018. He was born August 22, 1928 in LaGrange, GA to the late Walter E. and Millie Knowles Sanders. He was preceded in death by this first wife, Betty Alice Curry Sanders to whom he was married for fifty-five years. He is survived by his present wife, Janice Clotfelter Sanders and four children: Lamar and wife Melissa Sanders, William (Bill) Sanders, Alice Bell, Laura Bishop and husband Joe Collette, eight grandchildren: Katy Southern, Jonathan Sanders, George Sanders, Chris West, Bill Bishop, Stephanie Benham. Jeff Bell, and Jennifer Sudderth, and thirteen great grandchildren: Abigail and Sawyer Benham, Parker and Addison Bishop, James Henry, Eli and Matthew Southern, Drew and Leia Sanders, Hannah and Jacob West, Jenna Burleson, and Maranda Bell. Also surviving are three stepsons and their wives: David and Susan Clotfelter, Jeff and Brenda Clotfelter, Mike and Lisa Clotfelter, eleven step-grandchildren, thirteen step-great grandchildren, and brother and sister in law Byron and Patricia Scott.

James attended Piedmont College and was the first male to graduate from Shorter College. Later he received a Masters of Divinity (cum laude) from The Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

He served for 48 years under appointment of The North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving churches in Dillard, Cleveland, Mizpah and Rush Chapel in Rome, Zebulon and Fincher, Fair Oaks in Marietta, University Heights in Decatur, Winters Chapel in Doraville, Trinity in Rome, College Park First Methodist, Tuckston in Athens and Covington First Methodist. After retiring in 1995 he served as interim at Leland Methodist Church in Mableton and was on the staff at Grace United Methodist Church in Atlanta for 10 years as Minister of Pastoral Care. His greatest love in the pastorate was visitation. He made well over 50,000 pastoral calls during his active pastorate and made some 6,500 during his time at Grace. He conducted over 150 funerals since retirement.

Services will be held Friday, May 25, 2018 at 11:00 am at The Tucker First United Methodist Church with burial at Winters Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Doraville. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 24, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at AS Turner Funeral Home in Decatur.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to University Heights United Methodist Church, 1267 Balsam Dr. Decatur, GA 30033.

Ministers and spouses of The North Georgia Conference are invited to form an Honorary Escort.