Service:
A graveside service in Lincoln will be held at a
later time.
Funeral home:
Beck Funeral Home, 4765 Priem Lane, Pflugerville, TX
78660
Obituary
David Lee Sanders finished his
earthly journey peacefully on Sunday, February 6,
2022, embraced by his beloved wife, Jenette,
at Trinity Care Center, Round Rock, TX, at the age
of 84 after a long illness.
David was born April 20, 1937, in Lincoln, IL; the
third son of five children to Wilbur and Mildred
Jones Sanders.
He joined the US Army as a Military Policeman with
two close friends. He was stationed at Schofield
Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii. After his military
career, he married the love of his life, Jenette
Freed, at the Danvers, IL, Baptist Church on
February 24, 1962, nearly 60 years ago.
He worked several years at Montgomery Ward Paint
Department in Bloomington, IL, where he and his team
members won top salespeople in the country two years
in a row.
He felt the call of God to attend Prairie Bible
Institute for full-time ministry when Rev. L.E.
Maxwell, President, spoke one summer at a camp in
IL. David graduated from Prairie Bible in 1969. He
qualified during his junior year for the first Greek
course offered. He was selected to serve on the
Yearbook committee during his senior year. Melinda
and Scott were born while he and Jenette were
students.
David returned to Bloomington, IL and was ordained
in Christian ministry. He served as Assistant
Director of the Home Sweet Home Mission for four
years and was instrumental in relocation to its
present location. He became Executive Director of
the Rescue Mission of Utica, NY in 1974.
During his ministry, he developed many innovative
programs to minister to those in need - - the
homeless, alcoholic, and mentally ill.
He and Jenette retired to West Jefferson, NC, in
2004 after 30 years of service together at the
Rescue Mission of Utica. They lived there for 8
years until moving to Texas with daughter, Melinda
and grandson, Kyle.
He is survived by his wife, Jenette;
daughter, Melinda Foley of Harker Heights, TX; son,
Scott (Tami) of Clark Mills, NY; one granddaughter,
Jacqueline (Cody) Waterman of Rome, NY; two
grandsons, Kyle Foley of Austin, TX and Phoenix
Sanders of Clark Mills, NY; a great-granddaughter,
Ayame “Mae” Waterman of Rome, NY. He is also
survived by his sister, Rosemary Awe; brother Robert
(Sandra) Sanders; sister-in law, Bonnie Sanders of
Lincoln, IL; sister-in-law, Judith Hunt of
Gainesville, FL; sister-in-law, Joan Freed of
Laredo, TX; and beloved nieces, nephews, and
cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, and
brothers, Marshall and Dean Sanders.
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David was dearly loved by those who knew him.
Although a quiet person, he could be outgoing and delighted
in putting everyone at ease with his sense of humor. He was
an avid Chicago Cub and Chicago Bears fan. He and Jenette
enjoyed traveling the world, camping at Moffitt Beach in the
Adirondacks with best friends, Fred and Pam Parker and
family for nearly 40 years every Labor Day weekend, and
spending summers at their cottage on Delta Lake.
A graveside service in Lincoln, IL will be held at a later
time.
The verse that characterizes his life is: “But none of these
things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so
that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I
received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of
the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
Memorial contributions may be given to the Rescue Mission of
Utica, 293 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501; Rome Rescue
Mission, 413 E. Dominick Street, Rome, NY 13440; Delta Lake
Bible Conference Center, 6420 Pillmore Drive, Rome, NY
13440. |