Obituaries

Home Going Celebration for Reverend Curtis James Sanders, Sr.

Obituary

Curtis James Sanders, Sr. was born on April 30, 1944, to Emma Mae Sanders
Newton Grays and A.Q. Heat.
Curtis attended Bryan Public School and graduated from E.A. Kemp High
School. After high school he enlisted in the United States Air Force.
Upon returning home from the military, he met and married JoAnn Fields, to this
union three children were born, Shawn, Angela and Miosha; also born to Curtis,
his oldest son, Curtis James Sanders, Jr. He loved his children and family so
dearly.
Curtis confessed his love for the LORD at a young age in his life. He was
baptized, and always participated in the house of the LORD.
After returning home from the military, he became a member of Pleasant Grove
MBC. While serving there he became a deacon and later moved up a little higher
in his Christian walk, and was ordained as a minister and assisted the pastor at the
church, in whatever capacity he could. He loved preaching and singing.
He joined the choir and led many songs as a choir member. Then God called him
to be the Shepherd of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, and he led his
flock until his health failed and he could no longer be the leader as he felt God
wanted him to be, so he stepped down as their pastor.
After his health got a little better, he returned back to worship with his home
church, Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor
Craig Anderson, Sr. He came as often as his health would allow him. He would
always confess how much he loved Pleasant Hill and Pleasant Grove MBC.
Curtis was one who took pride in his appearances, the way he dressed, how his
clothes fitted him, and how his shoes had to have a shine before he stepped out of
his house. He believed you shouldn’t come out of the house until you had put
every effort to look your best, which he implemented at all times.
Curtis was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn Sanders, his dad, who raised
him, Zellie Newton, Sr., his parents, Emma Mae Newton-Grays and his stepdad,
Robert Grays, A.Q, Heat; two brothers, Lester Charles Newton, Zellie Newton,
Jr., and Ruby Faye Newton-Ellis.
Curtis leaves his legacy of love to be carried on by two sons, Curtis James
Sanders, Jr. (Patience), and Shawn Sanders (Jennifer); two daughters, Angela
Dean and Miosha Sanders; two sisters, Brenda Newton-Thompson (Larry), and
Shirley Poole; nine grandchildren, Amber Dean, Wayne Dean, Jr., Will Dean,
Jacobie Sanders, Shawn Sanders, Jr., Seth Sanders, Shelby Sanders, Jailei
Sanders, and Andrew Golden; nine great-grandchildren, Sidnee Sanders, Terence
Rittenhouse, Khloe Rittenhouse, Devyn Rittenhouse, Liam Dean, Laila Dean,
Opal Golden, Rythem Golden, and Gavin Golden; and a host of nieces, nephews,
other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services: Saturday, January 13, 2024 11:00AM Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church
310 West Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, Bryan, Texas 77803

Visitation Services: Friday, January 12, 2024 from 11:00AM until 6:30PM at Daniel & Son Funeral Home located at 401 W 18th Street, Bryan,Texas 77803