John Ashley Sanders, Sr., was born on July 30, 1940 in Freestone County, Texas to his parents, Ervin Ashley Sanders and Alma Grace McEachern Sanders. He passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, April 26, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.
After graduating from Fairfield High School in 1958, John attended Texas A&M University. John married his sweetheart, Wanda Ruth York on June 3, 1960 in Fairfield. In 1963, John and Wanda made their home in Franklin. John was employed with M&M Farm Supply in Franklin for twenty-five years before becoming an insurance agent. He also was a self- employed rancher. In 2015, he retired from Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. He was very active in his community serving on many boards and organizations including: Franklin ISD School Board, Robertson County Fair Association Board, Robertson County Appraisal District Review Board, Robertson County Farm Bureau Board and Robertson County Soil and Water Conservation District Board. John was a member of the First Baptist Church in Franklin serving as deacon for fifty-five years.
John was devoted to God, his wife and his family. He was known by many and loved by all.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin Ashley and Alma Grace Sanders.
He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Wanda Sanders of Franklin; Sons and Daughters-in-law, John Ashley Sanders, Jr. and Kim of Huntsville and Gregory Alan Sanders and Deanne of Franklin; Brother and Sister-in-law, Jerry Don Sanders and Claudia; Sisters-in-law and husbands, Gwen Steen and Charles Henry and Nelma Jo Webb and Danny; 5 Grandchildren: Kelsey Sanders Clark and Chris, Karly Sanders Keith and Cason, Chase Gregory Sanders and Emilie, Bailey Sanders Elliott and Dylan and Ashley Reagan Sanders; 2 Great Grandchildren: Anna Grace Clark and Coleman Gregory Sanders and a host of other relatives and many friends.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Franklin, Texas. Family will receive visitors from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the church. Burial will be at 5:00 P.M. Saturday at Lake Chapel Cemetery in Freestone County, Texas.
