Johnnie Sanders
Posted: May 25, 2018
COLUMBUS — Johnnie Sanders, 86, died May 22, 2018, at his residence. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at The Word Church International in Crawford with Rev. Bobby Sanders officiating. Burial will follow in Zion Hill M.B. Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Friday at Carter’s Funeral Services of Columbus. Carter’s Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Sanders was born Apr. 30, 1932, in Lowndes County, to the late Sam Sanders and Sallie Mae Williams. He was retired from Columbus Light and Water Dept and was formerly employed with South Lowndes Water Association and Columbus Motor Company. He was also Manager and lead singer of Sanders and the Going Four and a member of Zion Hill M.B. Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Prophet T.J. Verdell; and siblings, Carlie Sanders, Bessie Mae Porter, Annie Lou Porter, Clara Braddock and Sam Sanders, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Mary Sanders of Columbus; children, Annie Thomas, Mariah Phinizee, Earnest Porter, Theodus Porter, Lee Andrew Sanders, John Sanders, Cleo Sanders, Samella Bridges, Mildred Coleman, Bobby Sanders, John Sanders, Allen Smith, Angela Dora and Shelia Harris; sister, Mattie Brown; 60 grandchildren; 72 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Val Braddock, Sonny Sanders, Tony Hill, Howard Smart, Ronnie Porter and Calvin Adams.