Deacon J.L. Sanders died May 4 in Covington. The son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Allen (Luedella Palmer) Sanders, he was born in 1926 in Marion County. At an early age Mr. Sanders joined First Baptist Church of Junction City. He became an active member serving as deacon. He was raised and educated in Marion County. Although he never learned to read, he was a "written epistle of men" and could quote the Bible. He was an entrepreneur and you could never fool him about money. He enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946. Mr. Sanders was a faithful husband and loving father. After raising their children, he and his wife faithfully conducted prayer ministry in their home and in their church, Faith Deliverance Church. He later joined Victory Tabernacle, Conyers.

Surviving are wife of 64 years Mrs. Sarah Snellings Sanders; children Lottie Ansley, Wafal Walas Jr., Brenda (Vanish Sr.) Boyd, Lynette (Goether) Roberts, Tinie (Cornelius) Solomon; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sisters Mozell Mitchell, Barbara Jean London, Madge Cobbert; brother Palmer Sanders; sisters-in-law Pearlie Mac Sanders, Blondine Rogers, Voncile Moss; brother-in-law Lee Edward (Shirley) Snellings; a host of nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and dear friends.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. May 9 at Victory Tabernacle, Conyers, with Pastor Doug Nelms officiating. Interment followed at Lawnwood Memorial Park.