Jimmie Saunders

John Graves (Jimmie) Sanders, 89, of Clifton Forge, VA, passed away Thursday, January 14, 2010, at Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol TN, following a brief illness.

Jimmie was born in Clifton Forge, on February 6, 1920, and was the son of the late Raymond Ernest and Thelma Graves Sanders and brother of the late Raymond Ernest Sanders, Jr. He was the devoted husband to his wife of 63 years, Janet Angeline Jamison Sanders.

For the vast majority of his 89 years, Jimmie lived at 808 McCormick Blvd. He graduated from Clifton Forge High School in 1937. He attended Hampden-Sydney College where he was a member of the Patrick Henry Society. He served four years in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. It was during this time that he met the love of his life Janet Angeline Jamison. Following his service he returned home to Clifton Forge. On June 22, 1946 Jimmie married his beloved wife Janet at the Antioch Church of the Brethren in Rocky Mount, VA. Jimmie started his career in the automobile business in Clifton Forge. He then joined Mountain National Bank, where he rose to the office of president prior to his retirement.

Jimmie was a member of Clifton Forge Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. He served on the Clifton Forge School Board and was chairman of the Clifton Forge Electoral Board. He also served as vice-president of the Clifton Forge Chamber of Commerce.

Jimmie had a long history of participation in civic and charitable activities. Because of his financial expertise, he served as treasurer of the Alleghany Regional Hospital, Alleghany Regional Foundation, and the Covington-Hot Springs Rotary Club for many years. He also served as president of the Rotary Club. He was the unofficial chairman of the Clifton Forge Coffee Club, a group that gathers at a local bank each week-day morning to solve the world’s problems. After moving to Bristol, Jimmie continued this tradition by joining the Perkins Monday Lunch Club for its weekly meeting. Many close and enduring friendships resulted from his participation in these groups.

Jimmie was a member of the Clifton Forge Masonic Lodge # 166 A.F. & A.M., Alleghany Royal Arch # 24, Alleghany Commandery No. 23, Scottish Rite Bodies of the Roanoke Valley having the honor of being a 32 degree K.C.C.H. He was a member of the Hot Springs Shrine Club and the last living charter member of the Clifton Forge Shrine Club. He was elected the 63rd potentate of Kazim Shriners A.A.O.N.M.S.(and the first from the Clifton Forge Shrine Club) on January 16, 1982. He was a past director of Roanoke Court # 59 Royal Order of Jesters in 1981.

Jimmie had a passionate commitment to his beloved Alleghany Highlands, a spectacular corner of Virginia where his family has deep roots. Jimmie loved its mountains, streams and fishing holes. He was particularly fond of Douthat State Park and the Cowpasture River. He loved to share these treasures with family and friends. But even more, he loved the region’s gracious and hard working people as evidenced by his years of devoted service to the area.

Jimmie had a robust enthusiasm for his family, friends, pets, and all who entered his world. His wry sense of humor coupled with a twinkle in his eye was infectious and captivating. Whether discussing the weather, sports, a dessert recipe or the Internet (one of his fondest subjects), he was great and good company. People gravitated to him wherever he was.

Jimmie was famous for the stream of funny and poignant emails that his many friends and family were lucky to receive. He so enjoyed sharing what he found amusing and interesting. He was an avid gardener who was always willing to share the results of his green thumb.

Jimmie had many life accomplishments but none equaled those of husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great -grandfather and friend.

Jimmie is survived by his wife, Janet Angeline Jamison Sanders of Bristol, VA.; his children, Thelma Graves Sanders Blair and husband Michael of Bristol, VA., John Graves Sanders, Jr., and wife Belinda of Chesapeake, VA., and Ellen Sanders Leeds and husband Christopher of Stafford, VA.; his grandchildren, Emily Alison Blair, Andrew Michael Blair and wife Anne, all of New York, NY., Meghan Leeds Weltsch and husband Nolan of Phoenix, AZ., James C. Leeds of Stafford, VA., and Hunter Tuke Sanders of Chesapeake, VA.; his great granddaughter Brinley Makenna Weltsch of Phoenix, AZ.; and his lively and loyal bird, Happy.

A celebration of Jimmie’s life will take place at Grand Court, One Liberty Place, Bristol, on Wednesday at 6:00 P.M.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home in Clifton Forge, with Rev. W. Pembroke Hall officiating. Masonic rites will be conducted by Clifton Forge Masonic Lodge # 166 A.F.& A.M. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tom Dean, Senator Creigh Deeds, Jim Eller, Jack Hammond, Charlie Kahle, George Kostel, Dr. Wallace Nunley, Bob Slusser and members of the Clifton Forge Coffee Club.

The family will receive friends following the memorial service at Nicely Funeral Home and at a luncheon reception at the Clifton Forge Shrine Club. The Interment will be private and take place in Crown Hill Cemetery, Clifton Forge. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to: Shriners Hospital for Children, Attn: Donations, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605-4277, Clifton Forge Shrine Club, P.O. Box 76, Clifton Forge or to the Kazim Transportation Fund, 628 West Campbell Ave., Roanoke, Va. 24016.

To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.