Robert "Alex" Sanford

Birth date: Jun 23, 1941 Death date: Oct 17, 2013

Dr. Robert “Alex” Sanford, Sr., died on October 17, 2013. He was 72. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Martha Sanford; five children, Dr. Louie Lundy Roberts (Brook) of Houston, TX; Margaret “Tedie” Cole (Chance) of Fort Smith, AR; Read Obituary

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Amy Morman

54w ago

I am unsure if any of Dr. Sanford's family will read this but I see I'm not the only one leaving memories and thanks many years after his passing.

I was born in Korea and adopted by a couple living in Memphis, Tennessee. My situation was not great: born with midline facial clef, a rare congenital defect (1 out of 1,000,000 babies are born with this). Although I never knew Dr. Sanford, I know that he and an amazing team of surgeons saved my life by giving me a chance to look normal and not live as a social outcast. I cry as I write this ... I'm so thankful. To his family, if you read this, please know that I would never be who I am today without him. I am now almost 37, married to a wonderful man and have a beautiful 7 year old son. Thank you. 🩷

Hubert D. Taylor Ii

120w ago

Shortly after my birth in 1976, it was discovered that I had hydrocephalus. It was Dr Sanford that placed my VP shunt at that time, and he remained my neurosurgeon throughout the next 37 years. He preformed many revisions and surgeries on my throughout the years which allowed me to live life as a normal young man (minus contact sports). It was his inspiration and support that gave me a love for medicine, and because of him I too am now a medical doctor. A fond memory I have of Dr Sanford was during one of my surgeries at Lebonheur Medical Center I had a water gun and squirted him with it when he entered the room. He laughed and was a wonderful sport. The next day he entered the room with his own watergun drawn and fired away. We had a complete watergun war in my room. As a young kid, I thought he was the most awesome doctor ever. He was. Thank you Dr Sanford for giving me the life that I have today.

Tammy

336w ago

When I was 9 years old an AV malformation burst in my brain. Dr. Sandford successfully removed it and saved my life. I was under his care for many years. I recall that he told my mother that my being alive was “all God” because I should not have survived, and at least I should have been in a vegetative state. After reading all of the testimonies of him saving so many children it makes my heart so happy. He was simply amazing and I definitely would not have been here today without him. To his family, I am so thankful that God placed Dr. Sandford in my path and all of the children’s path that he saved. Its an honor to have been treated by him. Thank you Doc !

Pennelope

438w ago

Dr. Sanford removed my brain tumour in 2000 when I was 17 years old. I was told that after my first surgery, on his way home, his car wouldn’t start and his battery blew up in his face. He later found out that what was not seen of what was left of my tumour started to grow around my brain stem and after what had happened, he still went in and got the rest. He was truly a great man and I no doubt owe my life to him. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here and my beautiful son wouldn’t exist. I should’ve thanked him when I had the chance. May he rest in peace.

Patricia Mahaffey

469w ago

Dr Sanford was my daughters neurosurgeon in 1977 Through God giving Dr Sanford the ability to help our precious baby born with Spina Bifida one of the worse cases he ever saw and used her surgeries to help other Drs to learn how to help these children in forever grateful R.I.P.

Vicki Mcilwain

507w ago

Was so sorry to hear that Dr. Sanford had passed away. Dr. Sanford postponed a trip to see his daughter, on Friday, August 19,1993. to lead the team of surgeons that saved our daughter, Sara Kate’s life. If was one week before her 2nd birthday, that she was diagnosed with a brain tumor . She is now 24, and has been a blessing to everyone she meets. She is a barrel racer, model, and her heart is children and horses. She recently was married, and lives a very blessed, happy life. She is our miracle! We give all the Glory to the Lord, and appreciate so much the part Dr. Sanford played in her healing process. He assisted Dr. Michael Muhlbauer. We appreciate him, and the legacy he leaves. We will forever be grateful for his dedication & kindness. May God bless his family. We will never forget him. Jim & Vicki McIlwain 228 Tribble Road Cedar Bluff, Ms. 39741 662-494-3116

Marti Lewis

528w ago

Dr. Sanford was the most caring and loved neurosurgery resident at the University Medical Center in Jackson, Ms. He was cheerful, playful, and empathetic with his patients and families and had a collegial and respectful relationship with staff. As nursing manager in the Children’s Hospital 2nd floor, I heard a lot about Louie, his beloved daughter, of whom he was so proud. I am so proud that she followed in her father’s footsteps. Dr Alex saved the life of my best friend’s son who was diagnosed with a poor prognosis of neuroblastoma at age1 1/2. The little boy grew up to play football and live a normal life. I share your pride in Dr. Sanford’s accomplishments and your grief in the loss of such a truly exceptional person. Marti Lewis

Stanley B Hughes

595w ago

I’m so sorry for the loss of Dr Sanford and I want to send my prayers and Love out to His Family and Friends also

Phillip Hardin

625w ago

Dr. Sanford was my neurosurgeon at Le Bonheur in the mid-90s, after the discovery of a mass on my brain. At the time, we weren’t aware if it was a tumor or cyst. While I wasn’t completely aware of the seriousness as an 11-year old, this was quite frightening to my parents. I remember the comforting news he brought when informing us that the diagnosis was a cyst, not a cancerous tumor. I’m happy to say the cyst was successfully removed, & a shunt was installed to drain the remaining fluid. I was one of Dr. Sanford’s first patients to receive the Ventricular-Peritoneal shunt procedure. He forecast that it should last about 10 years & might eventually break as I grew. If I then no longer needed the shunt, it wouldn’t have to be replaced. Unfortunately when the shunt indeed broke about 10 years from the initial surgery, it was found that I would need to have it replaced. I simply can’t function without it. So, in a sense I have a piece of Dr. Sanford with me for the rest of my life. I can’t say enough about how much my family & I appreciated his kindness & expertise at his God-given professional calling. He was not only a Godsend for me but many other children as well. My thoughts & prayers are with his family & friends during this time of sorrow, & I know he’ll be greatly missed. However, I take comfort in knowing that we’ll get to see him again one day. Heaven has gained another angel, & I’m happy to know he’s up there watching over us all. May God Bless you Dr. Sanford.With great sympathy,Phillip Hardin

George A Brown

625w ago

Alex and I, George Alexander Brown, the son of Virginia A Brown /Alexander a sister to Louie Alexander Sanford of Scott, … later, Winchester Arkansas, were never very close even though we were first cousins. My uncle, George Alexander, the Family patriarch. had mortgaged the “home place” The AL Alexander Plantation,. to secure the “Hollywood Plantation” at Winchester ( Dumas, Ar) the future home of Alex Sanford and the Sanford Family…. that had a number of heirs, several sisters, a mother and myself at that same time were never compensated..with some resentment.. Alex Sanford became a son that my uncle never had and because of that special relationship …it provided him that heritage of that same delta Hollywood Plantation home and financial support that brought him to adulthood and becoming that famous doctor that was so honored these past few days and caused him to be now buried at McGhee, Ark. . Alls well that Ends Well, Never has my uncle, George Alexander. been so completly venerated, honored, as well as the entire Alexander Family as having Dr. Alexander Sanford for being the recipient of the Hollywood Plantation and now his children.George Alexander Brown Scott, Ark

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