Edward Wallace Sanderson

Edward Wallace Sanderson joined his Heavenly Father, his Lord and Savior Christ, and gathered in glad reunion with countless loved ones on January 24, 2020. Ed was born and raised in Morehead City, North Carolina. He was a graduate of Eastern Carolina University, but his primary loyalty was as a true Tar Heel Blue fan of the University of North Carolina. Upon graduation Ed began a long career with Sears, where he served for 37 years. Beginning in stores in North Carolina and Florida, he worked his way up to the role of general manager and served in that capacity in Florida, Virginia, and Tennessee. Ed was a sports enthusiast, a scratch golfer who also loved to play basketball and table tennis with his friends and family. When Sears was the sponsor of the SEC football championship, he had the honor of presenting the SEC Championship Trophy to Coach Phil Fulmer in Neyland Stadium, both in 1997 and 1998. He also enjoyed attending Alabama football games in Bryant Denny Stadium with his sons in-law and grandkids. Ed lived a life of servanthood. This was demonstrated in his dedication to the local church as he served over the years in various capacities. Ed was a deacon, youth worker, and also served meals for Meals on Wheels. He was known as one who experienced joy in “rolling up his sleeves” to work alongside someone and offer help. He found great joy as a member of the Upper Room Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church of Fairhope, Alabama. Ed’s greatest love was for his family, especially his grandchildren as he attended their many ball games, dance recitals, and performances. He spent countless hours playing games and floating and shrimping in Arnica Bay with family for hours on end. Ed is preceded in passing by his father, Jesse F. Sanderson, his mother, Edna L. Sanderson, and his brother, Arnold L. Sanderson. He is survived by Anna, his wife of 35 years; his daughters, Deanna (Jim) Barnette, Davina (Vern) Gwin, and Daneen (Milam) Turner; his grandchildren, Hannah (Ethan) Asters, Nick Barnette, Leah (Benjamin) Hoefling, Ansley Gwin, Milam Turner IV, George Turner, and Maryanna Turner; his brother, Jesse Franklin Sanderson, Jr (Faye Petro Gargiulo), his sister, Ann Louise Stickel; and six loving nieces and nephews and many devoted friends. Visitation will be Saturday, February 1, at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Fairhope. A memorial service will follow in the sanctuary at 11:00 a.m. Graveside service will be at Montrose Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Jim Barnette presiding. In lieu of flowers and in gratitude for the compassionate treatment Ed and Anna received during his time at Riverside Regional Medical Center and Riverside Rehabilitation Hospital, the family wishes donations be made to the Riverside Foundation in honor of Ed’s caregivers of all ilks, supporting the remarkable care they provided each day. Checks can be made out to the Riverside Foundation - Memo line: In memory of Ed Sanderson. Riverside Foundation  701 Town Center Drive Suite 1000 Newport News, VA 23606  Or donations can be made online at: riversideonline.com/give   ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO RD FAIRHOPE, AL 36532 (251) 990-7775 www.wolfefuneralhomes.com