Collier Hodges Sanders Sr.

Mr. Collier Hodges Sanders Sr April 10, 1936 to January 6, 2023 Collier Hodges Sanders Sr, 86, of Griffin passed away peacefully on January 6, 2023. Mr. Sanders, also known as “Country,” was a lifelong resident of Griffin. He was a Georgia boy at heart who loved his family, his special English Bulldog Girlee, the University of Georgia Dawgs, being with people, and having fun. Mr. Sanders was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Barbara Lynch Sanders; his parents, Mozelle and Cleo Sanders; and his siblings: Terry Sanders, Stanley Sanders, Gary Sanders, Dennis Sanders, Broughton Sanders, Hollis Sanders, Dorothy Smith, and Susan Moore. He is survived by his sons, Richard Sanders (Debra) of Chipley, FL; Collier Sanders Jr/Yogi (Joan) of Dadeville, AL; and daughter Deborah Piland (Randy) of Burlington, NC. Surviving grandchildren are Elizabeth Sanders of Decatur, GA; Bryan Sanders (Jenna) of Charlotte, NC; Mark Sanders (Elizabeth) of Carrollton, GA; Leah Sanders Hicks (Phillip) of Williamson, GA; Collier Sanders III (Kristi) of Mulvane, KS; Jake Sanders (Madison) of Lafayette, GA; Sierra Piland of Brooklyn, NY; and Baden Piland of Raleigh, NC. Surviving great grandchildren are Riley Sanders, Paxton Sanders, Abby Alston, Beau Hicks, all of Williamson, GA, and Hugh Sanders of Carrollton, GA. Mr. Sanders is also survived by many nieces and nephews. A veteran of the Air Force, Mr. Sanders retired from the Federal Aviation Agency in 1992 after 33 years of service. He was born in Hartwell and grew up there. Through the years, Mr. Sanders loved to RV camp, square dance, play softball, grow a garden, listen to country music, tailgate at University of Georgia football games, support his children and grandchildren, enjoy winters at their second home in Florida, and travel with his wife and friends. He loved to laugh, have fun, and tell stories about his life when younger. Mr. Sanders was a member of the Good Sam RV Club, the AMBUCS¬, and the Moose Club. Mr. Sanders was known in Griffin as a baseball, football, and basketball coach for recreational teams as well as for Third Ward Elementary School. Players thought of Mr. Sanders as a mentor as well as a coach. He enjoyed staying in touch with his players. Visitation for Mr. Sanders will be on Friday, January 13, from noon to 2:00 pm, followed by the funeral at 2:00 pm at Haisten McCullough Funeral Home in Griffin. Burial is in Westwood Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Southside Baptist Church, 1332 Zebulon Road, Griffin, GA.

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Collier Hodges Sanders Sr.

April 10, 1936 - January 6, 2023