Person:Marvin Sanders (1)

Abilene Reporter News June 6 2005

Marvin F. Sanders Marvin Floyd Sanders, Sr., 77, died Saturday, June 4, 2005, at an Abilene medical center. Marvin was born December 25, 1927 at Marie, TX., the son of the late O. T. and Lenora Sanders. He attended Highland Public Schools south of Roscoe, Texas, and throughout the years completed several Texas A & M Extension Courses. Marvin was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He married Nina Basham Sanders in 1949 in Roscoe, TX. He worked for the Sweetwater Police Department for 2 years before moving to Abilene in 1957. He worked for the Abilene Police Department for 27 years, then the 350th District Court, and finally the Federal Marshal's Office. Marvin was a true man's man, but certainly God's man with strength of steel and a heart that was tender. He was full of compassion for those around him, willing to do anything for anyone. He was a wonderful husband, loving his wife deeply. His children feel extremely blessed to have him for a father. It was easy for them to trust and accept Christ as their personal Savior and Heavenly Father because of their loving earthly father. He served God for many years bringing people to Church actively in bus ministry. His love for God was reflected in the way he ministered to children. He also set a fine example to his family. After the death of his 13 year old daughter, he shared a testimony of God's sustaining grace saying he stayed at the foot of the cross in prayer. He was a licensed pilot and loved to take his bride flying, then continued to fly many years. He was a member of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church and a former member of Masonic Lodge 559 in Abilene. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Janice Lynn Sanders, brothers John Wesley Sanders, Homer Sanders, and David Livingston, and sister, Martha Henson. Survivors include his wife, Nina Sanders of Abilene; a son, Floyd Sanders, Jr. and wife, Debra, of Abilene; a daughter, Lenora June Bartlett and husband, Terry, of Victoria, Texas; one sister, Nita McGee of Abilene; four grandchildren, Tonja Welborn, Tamra Brown, Shannon Sanders, and Greg Sanders; and a great-grandson, Sterling Welborn. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church with Pastor Jeff Reid, Pastor Terry Bartlett, and Beverly Allen officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Greg Sanders, Bruce Welborn, Charlie Brown, Buddy Sissom, Aughany King, David Gay, Gene Basham, and Greg Baxter. Timothy Baxter, Ike and Darlene Pate, Dick and Marie Kinney, and Jerry Bartlett will be honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made to the Pioneer Drive Baptist Church Building Fund, 701 S. Pioneer Drive, Abilene, TX 79605.rdrdbrdrw10rdrcf1 rdrdbrdrw10 «i»ntbl Bottom of Form 3«/i»