GORDO - James Rayford Sanders, age 88, of Gordo, Ala., passed away May 17, 2018 at the Tuscaloosa V.A. Medical Center. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ralph Smith and Rev. James Mucha officiating. Burial will follow in Zion Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be one prior to the service at the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jessie Clifton Sanders and Jimmy Boyd ""Booty"" Sanders; and granddaughter, Jill Hocutt Moore.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Lugene Pritchett Sanders; daughters, Bonnie Hocutt (Joe), Mary Ellen Sanford (Scottie), Sherry Duffy (Ricky) and Rachel Babb (Paul); sister, Zelda Parker; nine grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Sanders was born September 8, 1929 in Gordo, Alabama to the late Jeff Sanders and Bonnie Mae O'Bryant Sanders. He was a member of the Big Hill Baptist Church where he served as a deacon since 1974. He was a retired farmer and also a retired employee of Arvin Industries and a United States Army Veteran-serving during the Korean War.
Mr. Sanders was known to all his family as Pe-Pa. He was a loving and faithful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
Pallbearers will be Joey Hocutt, Jeremy Fair, Jackson Fair, John Babb, Phillip Babb, Jonathan Duffy, Chip Rogers and Norman Boyd.
Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Sarah Fulgham and staff of the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center and members of Big Hill Baptist Church.
The family suggests memorials be made to Zion Primitive Baptist Church Building Fund, 371 McCool Rd., Gordo, AL 35466.