Services for James Sanders Sr., 56, of Temple and formerly of Bartlett, were held Saturday, November 1, 2008 at Great Zion Church of God in Christ with Supt. Shelton Rhodes officiating.

Burial followed in Bartlett City Cemetery.

He died Friday, October 24, 2008 in a Temple hospital.

James Sanders Sr. was born November 20, 1951 to Nathaniel White and Bettye Sanders in Bartlett. He was raised by Willie and Bettye Crathers. He graduated from Bartlett High School, Temple Junior College, the University of Texas and El Centra College. Mr. Sanders received his master’s degree from the University of Central Texas and was pursuing his doctorate degree. He was an active member of Greater Zion Temple Church of God in Christ, where he served as an elder.

Survivors include his wife, Ilo Sanders; three sons, James Lee Sanders II, Jeffery Alan Sanders and Joshua Emmanuel Sanders, all of T emple; three daughters, Ashley Farrah-Bianca Sanders of Temple, Angel LaGale Perry of Fort Worth and Dana Bernice Johnson of Bartlett; five brothers, Charles Crathers of Holland, Jimmy Lewis Crathers, Lindsay Crathers, and Willie L. C. Crathers, all of Bartlett, and Marvin Jimmerson of Austin; a sister, Alice Jean Cummings of Round Rock; his mother of Bartlett; and two grandchildren.

Branford/Dawson Funeral Home in Temple was in charge of arrangements.