From south of Mountain Grove J.W. “Jay” Sanders, son of the late Arthur and Nola (Dockins) Sanders, was born July 25, 1931, in Dolph, Ark., and departed this life unexpectedly at his home south of Mtn. Grove on Aug. 18. He was 75.
Jay married Norma Plummer in Berryville, Ark., on April 7, 1951. They spent most of their life together on their farm south of Mtn. Grove. He loved playing music and emceeing the Vanzant, Holt and Skyline picnics, which he did for many years. He also raised Charolais cattle for the last 6 years.
Norma and Jay greatly enjoyed fishing together on the Okeechobee Lake in Florida.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Burling and Thurl Sanders; and by two sisters, Dixie Russell and Ersie Langston.
He is survived by his wife, Norma, of their home; a niece that was like a daughter to him, Christina Mahurin and her husband, Sonny, their children, which were like grandchildren to him, Chaseton, Devin and Shiana, of Mtn. Grove; a nephew that spent many years with Jay on the farm, Ronnie Mills and his wife, Linda, of Lebanon; two brothers, Bill Sanders, and Bob Sanders and his wife, Mary, all of Mtn. Home, Ark.; four sisters, Clersie Sanders of Dolph, Ark., Gladys Stone, Mtn. Home, Ark., Juanita Stephen and husband, Herman, Sarasota, Fla., and Geneva Norman and husband, Ray, of Winchester, Tenn.; many special nieces and nephews that Jay had the opportunity to enjoy time with over the years, and numerous loved ones and friends very dear to him.
Funeral services for Jay Sanders were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel, Mtn. Grove, with the Rev. J.C. Johnson and John Plummer officiating. Burial was in Clifty Hall Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove.
