My Daddy - Obituary written by Kim Sanders Murray
Freddie Carl Sanders, a retired lumberman & construction owner, age 77, of Askew, MS passed away on January 26, 2023 in Memphis, TN. Freddie was born December 15, 1945 in Dubbs, MS to Carl Stanford and Etta Mae Louise Listion Sanders.
Freddie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeanette Simpson Sanders, his son - Freddie Dewayne Sanders, daughters - Kimberly Sanders Murray (James), Lisa Michelle Sanders (Kassie), and Lori Sanders Pyron (Gene); 3 granddaughters - Ashley Murray Lane (Kyle), Breanna Nicolle Sanders, and Sydney Soderberg; three grandsons: Benjamin David Murray, Tyler Dewayne Sanders, and Matthew Garrett Murray; six great-grandchildren: Braxton, Ava, Winter, Maggie, Presley, and Marlee.
In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to Senatobia-Tate County Animal Shelter at 909 EF Hale Jr. Drive, Senatobia, MS 38668.
Papaw's Eulogy by Ashley Lane
Summer, 1993. Lisa's senior year of high school. Lisa's 1981 Toyota Starlett had this awful smell that she couldn't pinpoint. Over the next 7 weeks, she spent all her extra money on 3 or 4 air fresheners a week trying to cover up the overwhelming aroma. Lisa finally decided to tear her car apart and try and find the source and she finally did. You see, 7 weeks before that, they all had taken a trip to the store and Papaw wanted to buy some limburger cheese which is a very strong Belgium cheese. Papaw had a diverse palate. He loved spicy foods and strong cheeses so he thought limburger cheese would be right up his alley. He didn't love it but he couldn't bring himself to admit it. Instead, he stowed it away under the spare tire in Lisa's car and watched her fight the smell over the next month and a half. When Lisa found the cheese, she knew exactly who the culprit was. He had asked her multiple times if she had found the source of the smell but she previously hadn't thought anything of it. When she told him she had found it, he said "oh really have you now?". Lisa took the ball of cheese and squished it right into his hair. The smell was so rancid that he started getting sick. Lisa was kind of worried she was about to get her tail whipped but she noticed him laughing in between the heaving. He told her he felt so bad he almost told her several times what he had done but it was just too much fun watching her fret over it. That I think perfectly sums up my Papaw. He loved to joke around.
My Papaw, Freddie Carl Sanders, was born December 15th, 1945. He endured his fair share of hardships throughout his childhood but made the best out of what he had. He met my Mamaw, Jeanette Simpson when she was 17 and he was 18. Neither of them really had much family to depend on so they chose to lean into one another. They married after 3 months on my Papaw's 19th birthday. They had my mom, Kim Sanders Murray, almost 2 years later in 1966, 7 years after that, my uncle Freddie Dewayne Sanders. Followed by my aunt Lisa Michelle Sanders a year later. Finally, my Aunt Lori Sanders Pyron 8 years after Lisa. Each girl was 8 years apart, my mom 16 years older than the youngest, Lori. Intermittently, as family members needed a place to live, my grandparents opened their home to those that needed solace. They cared and provided for many that came and went through the years. Somewhere along the way, 6 grandchildren came into their lives and most recently, 6 great grandchildren.
My Papaw was a jack of all trades, holding many odd jobs over the years. Lumberjack, welder, heavy machinery operator among many, many other titles. I always knew my Papaw as a hardworking man, with a great farmers tan and dirty clothes. What started as a trailer is Askew, ended up the home that it is today because of the hard work and additions my Papaw put into that house. I stand by that there isn't a thing in this world Papaw couldn't have fixed, or at minimum welded together and rigged it to the point of being functional. We ate many meals around the table Papaw built in their kitchen, with him sitting at the very end. I remember he scolded me one day because he said I was too old to be asking my mom to smash up my fried eggs so he taught me how to do it myself. What's funny is I think about that moment every single time I eat fried eggs to this day. Much of my time at my grandparent's house was filled with exploring Papaw's equipment (that we probably weren't supposed to be exploring), swinging on the swing he made, sitting on the picnic table he built, and NOT eating his leftover breakfast food on the stove because then we'd be in bad trouble. I always knew come Papaw's birthday/Christmas time, we were going to buy him a shirt but it had to have two breast pockets. One for his cigarettes, and later his dip when he gave up smoking. The other his cell phone because I've never seen a senior adult talk on the phone to his friends as much as he did. It was like listening to middle school girls gab on. A tube of chapstick was never more than an arms-length away, an obsession he passed down to not only his kids but grandkids alike. He's got a can of dip and a tube of chapstick in his pocket as we speak. I'd like to believe when the dead rise during Christ's second coming, he'd like having his chapstick and dip in tow. If Papaw wasn't in the shop, we knew we could probably find him in his recliner watching wrestling at far too high of a volume. Many times, I'd sneak into his room at night since I slept in the room across the hall and turn the TV down only for him to wake up and turn it back up. My son, Braxton is 5. I'd describe Braxton as a man of leisure so he likes a good comfy bed and television. On numerous occasions during visits, we'd lose Braxton only to find him sitting contently with Papaw watching tv together.
Our family wanted to share a few stories about Papaw that really highlight who he was and what he meant to us.
From his daughter and my mom, Kim:
"One time my dad was going to take me hunting with him. I was so so excited to go hunting and to get to shoot the gun. Little did I know, daddy never intended for me to shoot a gun at all. He intended for me to be his bird-dog and that's exactly what I did. I was running in grass taller than me. That pretty much did me in on hunting with daddy. Never again. Fishing was fine, but I'd take a pass on the hunting. He was very competitive and he hated losing. Whenever our power would go out, we would play dominos for hours and he's beat us all. That's one thing, he never let you win just cause he felt bad for you. If you won, you really had won. He wasn't going easy on anyone."
From his son, Dewayne,
"Daddy was a simple man. He wasn't a materialistic person and he believed that a man's handshake and word was his bond. He had a good work ethic and taught all the kids that hard work pays off. You appreciate things more when you work for them instead of someone giving them to you. Education was a must, and all things outdoors and equipment was his pleasure and he instilled the same work ethic in all his children, especially me."
From his Grandson, Ben:
"During one visit, Papaw had picked tomatoes out of his garden and had them lined up on the window seal in the kitchen. There were probably 10 of them. Me, being of just that right curious age, decided to see what it felt like to stick my fingers in the tomatoes. I loved it and decided to poke holes in all 10 of them. When he found them, I'm pretty positive that was the first and only time he whipped any of his grandkids and I'll wear that badge." side note, as an extremely amateurs gardener that grew tomatoes for the first time this past year, I totally understand his frustration
From his granddaughter, Breanna:
"There's so many memories, but he always enjoyed me coming to sit with him in his chair to pamper him. We would talk about anything from school, boys, sports, equipment, and work. He would tell me secrets and I would tell him mine. I remember being around 10 years old and seeing him sneaking into the kitchen. I walked in behind him and asked what he was doing. He said, "Nant, I'm making a peanut butter and mayo sandwich." I remember thinking that sounded terrible. He finished making his sandwich and looked at me and giggled saying "Youngin I know you want to try it" and I shook my head no but he took the biggest bite and made it look so good we ended up eating them together in the kitchen and he was right. It was good."
All laughs aside, my Papaw was a gentle man though he wasn't always that way. Papaw wasn't always a Christian so he went through a period of time where he may have made some less than desirable choices. I think this part of my Papaw's life is important to bring up because I believe it is such a strong part of his testimony as a Christian. Papaw's first heart attack at the age of 48 changed his life in more than one way. Not only did it start him down a long road of health issues, near death experiences and innumerable surgeries, he came to know Jesus during this time and it changed who he was at the core. Papaw told us of a time when he was deathly ill with staph infection in the hospital. My Mamaw had left the room and when she returned, Papaw was smiling and laughing. When she asked him what was so funny, he said he had met Jesus and told him he would be make it through. Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Jesus kept that promise and a new man left that hospital. Saul became Paul. The man he was after that day is the man I've known my whole life. Strong but gentle (when he wasn't giving us an Indian sunburn as he called it), strong willed but able to be soft spoken. A fixer. There when you called. Proud of his family. So so proud. Proud of all his kids and grandkids and their growing families and advancing careers. My Aunt Lisa says that she's never seen him more proud of her than when he saw her with a Tate County Sheriff's Office star on her chest. At every graduation, he told us he never thought he'd live to see us finish high school since he had spent so much time in and out of the hospital. I remember they came and visited me at work during my first week as a registered nurse. His family was his joy. Though his time here on earth was cut short after his long fight with heart failure, we are beyond thankful the 77 years we got to keep him here.
A poem I came across I feel like perfectly relates to Papaw's passing.
They say memories are golden,
well maybe that is true.
But we never wanted memories,
all we wanted was you.
Your life was love and labor,
your love for your family true,
you did your best for all of us,
we will always remember you.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands at rest.
It broke our hearts to see you go,
God only takes the best.
Freddie Carl Sanders, a retired lumberman & construction owner, age 77, of Askew, MS passed away on January 26, 2023 in Memphis, TN. Freddie was born December 15, 1945 in Dubbs, MS to Carl Stanford and Etta Mae Louise Listion Sanders.
Freddie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeanette Simpson Sanders, his son - Freddie Dewayne Sanders, daughters - Kimberly Sanders Murray (James), Lisa Michelle Sanders (Kassie), and Lori Sanders Pyron (Gene); 3 granddaughters - Ashley Murray Lane (Kyle), Breanna Nicolle Sanders, and Sydney Soderberg; three grandsons: Benjamin David Murray, Tyler Dewayne Sanders, and Matthew Garrett Murray; six great-grandchildren: Braxton, Ava, Winter, Maggie, Presley, and Marlee.
In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to Senatobia-Tate County Animal Shelter at 909 EF Hale Jr. Drive, Senatobia, MS 38668.
Papaw's Eulogy by Ashley Lane
Summer, 1993. Lisa's senior year of high school. Lisa's 1981 Toyota Starlett had this awful smell that she couldn't pinpoint. Over the next 7 weeks, she spent all her extra money on 3 or 4 air fresheners a week trying to cover up the overwhelming aroma. Lisa finally decided to tear her car apart and try and find the source and she finally did. You see, 7 weeks before that, they all had taken a trip to the store and Papaw wanted to buy some limburger cheese which is a very strong Belgium cheese. Papaw had a diverse palate. He loved spicy foods and strong cheeses so he thought limburger cheese would be right up his alley. He didn't love it but he couldn't bring himself to admit it. Instead, he stowed it away under the spare tire in Lisa's car and watched her fight the smell over the next month and a half. When Lisa found the cheese, she knew exactly who the culprit was. He had asked her multiple times if she had found the source of the smell but she previously hadn't thought anything of it. When she told him she had found it, he said "oh really have you now?". Lisa took the ball of cheese and squished it right into his hair. The smell was so rancid that he started getting sick. Lisa was kind of worried she was about to get her tail whipped but she noticed him laughing in between the heaving. He told her he felt so bad he almost told her several times what he had done but it was just too much fun watching her fret over it. That I think perfectly sums up my Papaw. He loved to joke around.
My Papaw, Freddie Carl Sanders, was born December 15th, 1945. He endured his fair share of hardships throughout his childhood but made the best out of what he had. He met my Mamaw, Jeanette Simpson when she was 17 and he was 18. Neither of them really had much family to depend on so they chose to lean into one another. They married after 3 months on my Papaw's 19th birthday. They had my mom, Kim Sanders Murray, almost 2 years later in 1966, 7 years after that, my uncle Freddie Dewayne Sanders. Followed by my aunt Lisa Michelle Sanders a year later. Finally, my Aunt Lori Sanders Pyron 8 years after Lisa. Each girl was 8 years apart, my mom 16 years older than the youngest, Lori. Intermittently, as family members needed a place to live, my grandparents opened their home to those that needed solace. They cared and provided for many that came and went through the years. Somewhere along the way, 6 grandchildren came into their lives and most recently, 6 great grandchildren.
My Papaw was a jack of all trades, holding many odd jobs over the years. Lumberjack, welder, heavy machinery operator among many, many other titles. I always knew my Papaw as a hardworking man, with a great farmers tan and dirty clothes. What started as a trailer is Askew, ended up the home that it is today because of the hard work and additions my Papaw put into that house. I stand by that there isn't a thing in this world Papaw couldn't have fixed, or at minimum welded together and rigged it to the point of being functional. We ate many meals around the table Papaw built in their kitchen, with him sitting at the very end. I remember he scolded me one day because he said I was too old to be asking my mom to smash up my fried eggs so he taught me how to do it myself. What's funny is I think about that moment every single time I eat fried eggs to this day. Much of my time at my grandparent's house was filled with exploring Papaw's equipment (that we probably weren't supposed to be exploring), swinging on the swing he made, sitting on the picnic table he built, and NOT eating his leftover breakfast food on the stove because then we'd be in bad trouble. I always knew come Papaw's birthday/Christmas time, we were going to buy him a shirt but it had to have two breast pockets. One for his cigarettes, and later his dip when he gave up smoking. The other his cell phone because I've never seen a senior adult talk on the phone to his friends as much as he did. It was like listening to middle school girls gab on. A tube of chapstick was never more than an arms-length away, an obsession he passed down to not only his kids but grandkids alike. He's got a can of dip and a tube of chapstick in his pocket as we speak. I'd like to believe when the dead rise during Christ's second coming, he'd like having his chapstick and dip in tow. If Papaw wasn't in the shop, we knew we could probably find him in his recliner watching wrestling at far too high of a volume. Many times, I'd sneak into his room at night since I slept in the room across the hall and turn the TV down only for him to wake up and turn it back up. My son, Braxton is 5. I'd describe Braxton as a man of leisure so he likes a good comfy bed and television. On numerous occasions during visits, we'd lose Braxton only to find him sitting contently with Papaw watching tv together.
Our family wanted to share a few stories about Papaw that really highlight who he was and what he meant to us.
From his daughter and my mom, Kim:
"One time my dad was going to take me hunting with him. I was so so excited to go hunting and to get to shoot the gun. Little did I know, daddy never intended for me to shoot a gun at all. He intended for me to be his bird-dog and that's exactly what I did. I was running in grass taller than me. That pretty much did me in on hunting with daddy. Never again. Fishing was fine, but I'd take a pass on the hunting. He was very competitive and he hated losing. Whenever our power would go out, we would play dominos for hours and he's beat us all. That's one thing, he never let you win just cause he felt bad for you. If you won, you really had won. He wasn't going easy on anyone."
From his son, Dewayne,
"Daddy was a simple man. He wasn't a materialistic person and he believed that a man's handshake and word was his bond. He had a good work ethic and taught all the kids that hard work pays off. You appreciate things more when you work for them instead of someone giving them to you. Education was a must, and all things outdoors and equipment was his pleasure and he instilled the same work ethic in all his children, especially me."
From his Grandson, Ben:
"During one visit, Papaw had picked tomatoes out of his garden and had them lined up on the window seal in the kitchen. There were probably 10 of them. Me, being of just that right curious age, decided to see what it felt like to stick my fingers in the tomatoes. I loved it and decided to poke holes in all 10 of them. When he found them, I'm pretty positive that was the first and only time he whipped any of his grandkids and I'll wear that badge." side note, as an extremely amateurs gardener that grew tomatoes for the first time this past year, I totally understand his frustration
From his granddaughter, Breanna:
"There's so many memories, but he always enjoyed me coming to sit with him in his chair to pamper him. We would talk about anything from school, boys, sports, equipment, and work. He would tell me secrets and I would tell him mine. I remember being around 10 years old and seeing him sneaking into the kitchen. I walked in behind him and asked what he was doing. He said, "Nant, I'm making a peanut butter and mayo sandwich." I remember thinking that sounded terrible. He finished making his sandwich and looked at me and giggled saying "Youngin I know you want to try it" and I shook my head no but he took the biggest bite and made it look so good we ended up eating them together in the kitchen and he was right. It was good."
All laughs aside, my Papaw was a gentle man though he wasn't always that way. Papaw wasn't always a Christian so he went through a period of time where he may have made some less than desirable choices. I think this part of my Papaw's life is important to bring up because I believe it is such a strong part of his testimony as a Christian. Papaw's first heart attack at the age of 48 changed his life in more than one way. Not only did it start him down a long road of health issues, near death experiences and innumerable surgeries, he came to know Jesus during this time and it changed who he was at the core. Papaw told us of a time when he was deathly ill with staph infection in the hospital. My Mamaw had left the room and when she returned, Papaw was smiling and laughing. When she asked him what was so funny, he said he had met Jesus and told him he would be make it through. Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Jesus kept that promise and a new man left that hospital. Saul became Paul. The man he was after that day is the man I've known my whole life. Strong but gentle (when he wasn't giving us an Indian sunburn as he called it), strong willed but able to be soft spoken. A fixer. There when you called. Proud of his family. So so proud. Proud of all his kids and grandkids and their growing families and advancing careers. My Aunt Lisa says that she's never seen him more proud of her than when he saw her with a Tate County Sheriff's Office star on her chest. At every graduation, he told us he never thought he'd live to see us finish high school since he had spent so much time in and out of the hospital. I remember they came and visited me at work during my first week as a registered nurse. His family was his joy. Though his time here on earth was cut short after his long fight with heart failure, we are beyond thankful the 77 years we got to keep him here.
A poem I came across I feel like perfectly relates to Papaw's passing.
They say memories are golden,
well maybe that is true.
But we never wanted memories,
all we wanted was you.
Your life was love and labor,
your love for your family true,
you did your best for all of us,
we will always remember you.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands at rest.
It broke our hearts to see you go,
God only takes the best.
My Daddy - Obituary written by Kim Sanders Murray
Freddie Carl Sanders, a retired lumberman & construction owner, age 77, of Askew, MS passed away on January 26, 2023 in Memphis, TN. Freddie was born December 15, 1945 in Dubbs, MS to Carl Stanford and Etta Mae Louise Listion Sanders.
Freddie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeanette Simpson Sanders, his son - Freddie Dewayne Sanders, daughters - Kimberly Sanders Murray (James), Lisa Michelle Sanders (Kassie), and Lori Sanders Pyron (Gene); 3 granddaughters - Ashley Murray Lane (Kyle), Breanna Nicolle Sanders, and Sydney Soderberg; three grandsons: Benjamin David Murray, Tyler Dewayne Sanders, and Matthew Garrett Murray; six great-grandchildren: Braxton, Ava, Winter, Maggie, Presley, and Marlee.
In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to Senatobia-Tate County Animal Shelter at 909 EF Hale Jr. Drive, Senatobia, MS 38668.
Papaw's Eulogy by Ashley Lane
Summer, 1993. Lisa's senior year of high school. Lisa's 1981 Toyota Starlett had this awful smell that she couldn't pinpoint. Over the next 7 weeks, she spent all her extra money on 3 or 4 air fresheners a week trying to cover up the overwhelming aroma. Lisa finally decided to tear her car apart and try and find the source and she finally did. You see, 7 weeks before that, they all had taken a trip to the store and Papaw wanted to buy some limburger cheese which is a very strong Belgium cheese. Papaw had a diverse palate. He loved spicy foods and strong cheeses so he thought limburger cheese would be right up his alley. He didn't love it but he couldn't bring himself to admit it. Instead, he stowed it away under the spare tire in Lisa's car and watched her fight the smell over the next month and a half. When Lisa found the cheese, she knew exactly who the culprit was. He had asked her multiple times if she had found the source of the smell but she previously hadn't thought anything of it. When she told him she had found it, he said "oh really have you now?". Lisa took the ball of cheese and squished it right into his hair. The smell was so rancid that he started getting sick. Lisa was kind of worried she was about to get her tail whipped but she noticed him laughing in between the heaving. He told her he felt so bad he almost told her several times what he had done but it was just too much fun watching her fret over it. That I think perfectly sums up my Papaw. He loved to joke around.
My Papaw, Freddie Carl Sanders, was born December 15th, 1945. He endured his fair share of hardships throughout his childhood but made the best out of what he had. He met my Mamaw, Jeanette Simpson when she was 17 and he was 18. Neither of them really had much family to depend on so they chose to lean into one another. They married after 3 months on my Papaw's 19th birthday. They had my mom, Kim Sanders Murray, almost 2 years later in 1966, 7 years after that, my uncle Freddie Dewayne Sanders. Followed by my aunt Lisa Michelle Sanders a year later. Finally, my Aunt Lori Sanders Pyron 8 years after Lisa. Each girl was 8 years apart, my mom 16 years older than the youngest, Lori. Intermittently, as family members needed a place to live, my grandparents opened their home to those that needed solace. They cared and provided for many that came and went through the years. Somewhere along the way, 6 grandchildren came into their lives and most recently, 6 great grandchildren.
My Papaw was a jack of all trades, holding many odd jobs over the years. Lumberjack, welder, heavy machinery operator among many, many other titles. I always knew my Papaw as a hardworking man, with a great farmers tan and dirty clothes. What started as a trailer is Askew, ended up the home that it is today because of the hard work and additions my Papaw put into that house. I stand by that there isn't a thing in this world Papaw couldn't have fixed, or at minimum welded together and rigged it to the point of being functional. We ate many meals around the table Papaw built in their kitchen, with him sitting at the very end. I remember he scolded me one day because he said I was too old to be asking my mom to smash up my fried eggs so he taught me how to do it myself. What's funny is I think about that moment every single time I eat fried eggs to this day. Much of my time at my grandparent's house was filled with exploring Papaw's equipment (that we probably weren't supposed to be exploring), swinging on the swing he made, sitting on the picnic table he built, and NOT eating his leftover breakfast food on the stove because then we'd be in bad trouble. I always knew come Papaw's birthday/Christmas time, we were going to buy him a shirt but it had to have two breast pockets. One for his cigarettes, and later his dip when he gave up smoking. The other his cell phone because I've never seen a senior adult talk on the phone to his friends as much as he did. It was like listening to middle school girls gab on. A tube of chapstick was never more than an arms-length away, an obsession he passed down to not only his kids but grandkids alike. He's got a can of dip and a tube of chapstick in his pocket as we speak. I'd like to believe when the dead rise during Christ's second coming, he'd like having his chapstick and dip in tow. If Papaw wasn't in the shop, we knew we could probably find him in his recliner watching wrestling at far too high of a volume. Many times, I'd sneak into his room at night since I slept in the room across the hall and turn the TV down only for him to wake up and turn it back up. My son, Braxton is 5. I'd describe Braxton as a man of leisure so he likes a good comfy bed and television. On numerous occasions during visits, we'd lose Braxton only to find him sitting contently with Papaw watching tv together.
Our family wanted to share a few stories about Papaw that really highlight who he was and what he meant to us.
From his daughter and my mom, Kim:
"One time my dad was going to take me hunting with him. I was so so excited to go hunting and to get to shoot the gun. Little did I know, daddy never intended for me to shoot a gun at all. He intended for me to be his bird-dog and that's exactly what I did. I was running in grass taller than me. That pretty much did me in on hunting with daddy. Never again. Fishing was fine, but I'd take a pass on the hunting. He was very competitive and he hated losing. Whenever our power would go out, we would play dominos for hours and he's beat us all. That's one thing, he never let you win just cause he felt bad for you. If you won, you really had won. He wasn't going easy on anyone."
From his son, Dewayne,
"Daddy was a simple man. He wasn't a materialistic person and he believed that a man's handshake and word was his bond. He had a good work ethic and taught all the kids that hard work pays off. You appreciate things more when you work for them instead of someone giving them to you. Education was a must, and all things outdoors and equipment was his pleasure and he instilled the same work ethic in all his children, especially me."
From his Grandson, Ben:
"During one visit, Papaw had picked tomatoes out of his garden and had them lined up on the window seal in the kitchen. There were probably 10 of them. Me, being of just that right curious age, decided to see what it felt like to stick my fingers in the tomatoes. I loved it and decided to poke holes in all 10 of them. When he found them, I'm pretty positive that was the first and only time he whipped any of his grandkids and I'll wear that badge." side note, as an extremely amateurs gardener that grew tomatoes for the first time this past year, I totally understand his frustration
From his granddaughter, Breanna:
"There's so many memories, but he always enjoyed me coming to sit with him in his chair to pamper him. We would talk about anything from school, boys, sports, equipment, and work. He would tell me secrets and I would tell him mine. I remember being around 10 years old and seeing him sneaking into the kitchen. I walked in behind him and asked what he was doing. He said, "Nant, I'm making a peanut butter and mayo sandwich." I remember thinking that sounded terrible. He finished making his sandwich and looked at me and giggled saying "Youngin I know you want to try it" and I shook my head no but he took the biggest bite and made it look so good we ended up eating them together in the kitchen and he was right. It was good."
All laughs aside, my Papaw was a gentle man though he wasn't always that way. Papaw wasn't always a Christian so he went through a period of time where he may have made some less than desirable choices. I think this part of my Papaw's life is important to bring up because I believe it is such a strong part of his testimony as a Christian. Papaw's first heart attack at the age of 48 changed his life in more than one way. Not only did it start him down a long road of health issues, near death experiences and innumerable surgeries, he came to know Jesus during this time and it changed who he was at the core. Papaw told us of a time when he was deathly ill with staph infection in the hospital. My Mamaw had left the room and when she returned, Papaw was smiling and laughing. When she asked him what was so funny, he said he had met Jesus and told him he would be make it through. Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Jesus kept that promise and a new man left that hospital. Saul became Paul. The man he was after that day is the man I've known my whole life. Strong but gentle (when he wasn't giving us an Indian sunburn as he called it), strong willed but able to be soft spoken. A fixer. There when you called. Proud of his family. So so proud. Proud of all his kids and grandkids and their growing families and advancing careers. My Aunt Lisa says that she's never seen him more proud of her than when he saw her with a Tate County Sheriff's Office star on her chest. At every graduation, he told us he never thought he'd live to see us finish high school since he had spent so much time in and out of the hospital. I remember they came and visited me at work during my first week as a registered nurse. His family was his joy. Though his time here on earth was cut short after his long fight with heart failure, we are beyond thankful the 77 years we got to keep him here.
A poem I came across I feel like perfectly relates to Papaw's passing.
They say memories are golden,
well maybe that is true.
But we never wanted memories,
all we wanted was you.
Your life was love and labor,
your love for your family true,
you did your best for all of us,
we will always remember you.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands at rest.
It broke our hearts to see you go,
God only takes the best.
Freddie Carl Sanders, a retired lumberman & construction owner, age 77, of Askew, MS passed away on January 26, 2023 in Memphis, TN. Freddie was born December 15, 1945 in Dubbs, MS to Carl Stanford and Etta Mae Louise Listion Sanders.
Freddie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeanette Simpson Sanders, his son - Freddie Dewayne Sanders, daughters - Kimberly Sanders Murray (James), Lisa Michelle Sanders (Kassie), and Lori Sanders Pyron (Gene); 3 granddaughters - Ashley Murray Lane (Kyle), Breanna Nicolle Sanders, and Sydney Soderberg; three grandsons: Benjamin David Murray, Tyler Dewayne Sanders, and Matthew Garrett Murray; six great-grandchildren: Braxton, Ava, Winter, Maggie, Presley, and Marlee.
In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to Senatobia-Tate County Animal Shelter at 909 EF Hale Jr. Drive, Senatobia, MS 38668.
Papaw's Eulogy by Ashley Lane
Summer, 1993. Lisa's senior year of high school. Lisa's 1981 Toyota Starlett had this awful smell that she couldn't pinpoint. Over the next 7 weeks, she spent all her extra money on 3 or 4 air fresheners a week trying to cover up the overwhelming aroma. Lisa finally decided to tear her car apart and try and find the source and she finally did. You see, 7 weeks before that, they all had taken a trip to the store and Papaw wanted to buy some limburger cheese which is a very strong Belgium cheese. Papaw had a diverse palate. He loved spicy foods and strong cheeses so he thought limburger cheese would be right up his alley. He didn't love it but he couldn't bring himself to admit it. Instead, he stowed it away under the spare tire in Lisa's car and watched her fight the smell over the next month and a half. When Lisa found the cheese, she knew exactly who the culprit was. He had asked her multiple times if she had found the source of the smell but she previously hadn't thought anything of it. When she told him she had found it, he said "oh really have you now?". Lisa took the ball of cheese and squished it right into his hair. The smell was so rancid that he started getting sick. Lisa was kind of worried she was about to get her tail whipped but she noticed him laughing in between the heaving. He told her he felt so bad he almost told her several times what he had done but it was just too much fun watching her fret over it. That I think perfectly sums up my Papaw. He loved to joke around.
My Papaw, Freddie Carl Sanders, was born December 15th, 1945. He endured his fair share of hardships throughout his childhood but made the best out of what he had. He met my Mamaw, Jeanette Simpson when she was 17 and he was 18. Neither of them really had much family to depend on so they chose to lean into one another. They married after 3 months on my Papaw's 19th birthday. They had my mom, Kim Sanders Murray, almost 2 years later in 1966, 7 years after that, my uncle Freddie Dewayne Sanders. Followed by my aunt Lisa Michelle Sanders a year later. Finally, my Aunt Lori Sanders Pyron 8 years after Lisa. Each girl was 8 years apart, my mom 16 years older than the youngest, Lori. Intermittently, as family members needed a place to live, my grandparents opened their home to those that needed solace. They cared and provided for many that came and went through the years. Somewhere along the way, 6 grandchildren came into their lives and most recently, 6 great grandchildren.
My Papaw was a jack of all trades, holding many odd jobs over the years. Lumberjack, welder, heavy machinery operator among many, many other titles. I always knew my Papaw as a hardworking man, with a great farmers tan and dirty clothes. What started as a trailer is Askew, ended up the home that it is today because of the hard work and additions my Papaw put into that house. I stand by that there isn't a thing in this world Papaw couldn't have fixed, or at minimum welded together and rigged it to the point of being functional. We ate many meals around the table Papaw built in their kitchen, with him sitting at the very end. I remember he scolded me one day because he said I was too old to be asking my mom to smash up my fried eggs so he taught me how to do it myself. What's funny is I think about that moment every single time I eat fried eggs to this day. Much of my time at my grandparent's house was filled with exploring Papaw's equipment (that we probably weren't supposed to be exploring), swinging on the swing he made, sitting on the picnic table he built, and NOT eating his leftover breakfast food on the stove because then we'd be in bad trouble. I always knew come Papaw's birthday/Christmas time, we were going to buy him a shirt but it had to have two breast pockets. One for his cigarettes, and later his dip when he gave up smoking. The other his cell phone because I've never seen a senior adult talk on the phone to his friends as much as he did. It was like listening to middle school girls gab on. A tube of chapstick was never more than an arms-length away, an obsession he passed down to not only his kids but grandkids alike. He's got a can of dip and a tube of chapstick in his pocket as we speak. I'd like to believe when the dead rise during Christ's second coming, he'd like having his chapstick and dip in tow. If Papaw wasn't in the shop, we knew we could probably find him in his recliner watching wrestling at far too high of a volume. Many times, I'd sneak into his room at night since I slept in the room across the hall and turn the TV down only for him to wake up and turn it back up. My son, Braxton is 5. I'd describe Braxton as a man of leisure so he likes a good comfy bed and television. On numerous occasions during visits, we'd lose Braxton only to find him sitting contently with Papaw watching tv together.
Our family wanted to share a few stories about Papaw that really highlight who he was and what he meant to us.
From his daughter and my mom, Kim:
"One time my dad was going to take me hunting with him. I was so so excited to go hunting and to get to shoot the gun. Little did I know, daddy never intended for me to shoot a gun at all. He intended for me to be his bird-dog and that's exactly what I did. I was running in grass taller than me. That pretty much did me in on hunting with daddy. Never again. Fishing was fine, but I'd take a pass on the hunting. He was very competitive and he hated losing. Whenever our power would go out, we would play dominos for hours and he's beat us all. That's one thing, he never let you win just cause he felt bad for you. If you won, you really had won. He wasn't going easy on anyone."
From his son, Dewayne,
"Daddy was a simple man. He wasn't a materialistic person and he believed that a man's handshake and word was his bond. He had a good work ethic and taught all the kids that hard work pays off. You appreciate things more when you work for them instead of someone giving them to you. Education was a must, and all things outdoors and equipment was his pleasure and he instilled the same work ethic in all his children, especially me."
From his Grandson, Ben:
"During one visit, Papaw had picked tomatoes out of his garden and had them lined up on the window seal in the kitchen. There were probably 10 of them. Me, being of just that right curious age, decided to see what it felt like to stick my fingers in the tomatoes. I loved it and decided to poke holes in all 10 of them. When he found them, I'm pretty positive that was the first and only time he whipped any of his grandkids and I'll wear that badge." side note, as an extremely amateurs gardener that grew tomatoes for the first time this past year, I totally understand his frustration
From his granddaughter, Breanna:
"There's so many memories, but he always enjoyed me coming to sit with him in his chair to pamper him. We would talk about anything from school, boys, sports, equipment, and work. He would tell me secrets and I would tell him mine. I remember being around 10 years old and seeing him sneaking into the kitchen. I walked in behind him and asked what he was doing. He said, "Nant, I'm making a peanut butter and mayo sandwich." I remember thinking that sounded terrible. He finished making his sandwich and looked at me and giggled saying "Youngin I know you want to try it" and I shook my head no but he took the biggest bite and made it look so good we ended up eating them together in the kitchen and he was right. It was good."
All laughs aside, my Papaw was a gentle man though he wasn't always that way. Papaw wasn't always a Christian so he went through a period of time where he may have made some less than desirable choices. I think this part of my Papaw's life is important to bring up because I believe it is such a strong part of his testimony as a Christian. Papaw's first heart attack at the age of 48 changed his life in more than one way. Not only did it start him down a long road of health issues, near death experiences and innumerable surgeries, he came to know Jesus during this time and it changed who he was at the core. Papaw told us of a time when he was deathly ill with staph infection in the hospital. My Mamaw had left the room and when she returned, Papaw was smiling and laughing. When she asked him what was so funny, he said he had met Jesus and told him he would be make it through. Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Jesus kept that promise and a new man left that hospital. Saul became Paul. The man he was after that day is the man I've known my whole life. Strong but gentle (when he wasn't giving us an Indian sunburn as he called it), strong willed but able to be soft spoken. A fixer. There when you called. Proud of his family. So so proud. Proud of all his kids and grandkids and their growing families and advancing careers. My Aunt Lisa says that she's never seen him more proud of her than when he saw her with a Tate County Sheriff's Office star on her chest. At every graduation, he told us he never thought he'd live to see us finish high school since he had spent so much time in and out of the hospital. I remember they came and visited me at work during my first week as a registered nurse. His family was his joy. Though his time here on earth was cut short after his long fight with heart failure, we are beyond thankful the 77 years we got to keep him here.
A poem I came across I feel like perfectly relates to Papaw's passing.
They say memories are golden,
well maybe that is true.
But we never wanted memories,
all we wanted was you.
Your life was love and labor,
your love for your family true,
you did your best for all of us,
we will always remember you.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands at rest.
It broke our hearts to see you go,
God only takes the best.
