William Alan Sanders' Obituary
On August 8, 2024 , William Alan Sanders 64, of Memphis passed into a new life peacefully , after a very long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis. He was surrounded by his family.
Alan was born at Baptist hospital in Memphis. He was the seventh child and only son of Virginia Sanders Pitts and W.D. Sanders. He was active in the youth group at his church and went on a Mission trip with them to Brazil. He attended Memphis State University where he also worked, putting himself through school and graduated in 1985. He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis the following year as he was starting graduate school. He was a support group leader for a local chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and participated in the walk for MS. He was employed at Methodist Hospital Central until 2004.
He loved his MS yoga class and the friends he made there. He loved his dogs, The Beatles, and almost all music, especially from the 60’s. He astounded us with his memory of who sang what song! He was a fan of the Memphis Tigers and Grizzle’s Basketball, Garibaldi’s spaghetti, Wangs and Key Lime Pie.
He was an advocate for the American Disabilities Act, and never gave up hope that there would be a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.
Alan was predeceased by his parents, W.D Sanders and Virginia Pitts, and a brother-in-law Jimmy Russell. He is survived by his sisters Gwen Savage(Ed), Gail Douglas ( Wayne),Mary Jane Winter (Don) , Jean Ray (Mike), Suzanne Russell, and, Charlotte Pepin. He is survived by 18 nieces and nephews and a host of great nieces and nephews.
He and his family would like to Thank Second Baptist Church for their continued prayers all these years, our extended family and friends for their support and prayers and the Doctors, Nurses, Nurse assistants, and Therapists who helped him through this journey and through the gates of heaven.
A special thanks to the Big Man , Sean and to Carolyn and Jesse for your loving care and literally lifting him up.
The service will be at Memorial Park on Tuesday , August 13, 2024 with family visitation at 2:30 and friends at 3:30.
There will be a graveside service at Antioch Baptist Church in Humboldt, Tn. On Wednesday August 14, at 11:00 a.m.
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