Elijah Sanders
Elijah Sanders, Sr., 90, of Chattanooga, passed away on Sunday, November 18, 2018, in a local hospital.
He attended Howard High School and worked for Ross Meehan Foundry for 34 years. In 1976, Elijah founded Sanders Lock and Key Service and self-taught himself how to make keys and change locks. He was a faithful and founding member of New United Church, where he served as a Deacon and member of the finance committee.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmie and Inez Sanders, Sr., birth mother, Hattie Mae Watkins Stiggers; brothers, Jimmie Sanders, Jr., and Willie Stiggers; sisters, Wilma Stiggers Goodwin and Barbara Stiggers Curry.
Survivors include his loving wife of 69 years, Geraldine Sanders; sons, Elijah (Sandra) Sanders, Jr., Duane (Veronica) Sanders, Sr., and Gerald Sanders (Ernestine); daughters, Dywana Sanders, Juana Jackson, and Chrystal (Johnny) Horne; daughter-in-law, Nichelle Sanders; adopted sons, Henry (Donna) Crutcher and Michael (Sarah) Stewart; grandsons, Duane (Jerilyn) Sanders, Demetrius (Lynn) Sanders, Duane, Jr., (Jennifer) Sanders, Elijah, III (Alisha) Sanders, Cherrick Sanders, Cardarius Sanders, Dominique (Shayla) Hill, Laymom Hill, Walter (Eboni) Cross, and Artuero (Valerie) Walton; granddaughters, Adrienne Sammons-Sanders, Tamica Watkins, Fallon Sanders, Fairel Sanders, Kristie Hill, Toshebia Williams, Latasha Conley, Shanni (Jay) Cunnigham, Danielle Jackson, Faye Sadler, Tonya (Donald) Grayson, LaShaunda (RaShek) Herring, and Stephanie (Shannon) Ford; 45 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; nieces, Andrea Boaz, Dollye (Lee) Bolton, Terrie (Curtis) Moody, Tonya Harris, Stephanie Boaz-Terry, Jamie Boaz, Darika(John) Priest, Valerie Howell, Felisa (Bernard) Gaines, and Monica (Carl) Davis; nephews, Edward (Anne) Wickley and Anthony (Sandra) Patton; cousins, Charlene Williams, Gloria Jarrett, and Sam Watkins; a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation is on Saturday, Nov. 24, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be on Sunday, Nov. 25, at 2 p.m. at New United Church with Pastor Jeffrey Wilson as the eulogist.
Entombment will be on Monday, Nov. 25, at 11:30 a.m. in Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Haiti Mission Fund Trip c/o New United Baptist Church, 2629 Tunnel Boulevard, Chattanooga, Tn. 37406.