Coach Roosevelt Sanders passed away peacefully on the morning of January 22, 2022. He was born in Montgomery, AL on May 6, 1937 and was the eldest son of Edward and Priscilla Smith-Sanders.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 1:00PM from Kindle Cemetery, Pastor Agnus Lover, officiating. Coach Sanders will lie in state on Friday from 1-8PM at Phillips-Riley Funeral Home.

Roosevelt was simply known as “Coach” by many regardless of the relationship. If you knew Roosevelt, you would know he was a serious “people person” and if you ever had the pleasure to meet him, you would never forget his huge personality! If he wasn’t a basketball coach, the family swears he could easily have earned a living as a stand-up comedian! He was absolutely hilarious and the best story teller on this side of Jordan.

Coach Sanders loved basketball so much that he spent 30+ years coaching high school basketball. His career included coaching Central High School (Tuscaloosa, AL) to 699 total wins paired with back to back state championships (1991 and 1992) and four Final Four appearances. Wow! Under his Direction, at Central High, he won 79 consecutive home games through the 1989-1991 seasons. He had the honor of being inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

Our family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to Chief Assistant Coach Robey Butler, who has been a part of our family since forever. It is he who spearheaded the renaming of Central’s gym in honor of this great man. Robey, our family sincerely thanks you for always being there for Roosevelt.

One thing many did not know about Roosevelt is he was a devout Christian with a huge giving heart. He would quietly help anyone who needed his help and NEVER boasted about what he did for others. Roosevelt was a member of St. Paul AME Church and served as a Trustee and choir member. In college, he joined Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. to be a servant leader.

Roosevelt was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Priscilla Smith-Sanders and sister, Daisy Favor (of Akron, OH).

Roosevelt leaves to mourn Mary Dickson Sanders (his beloved and caring wife, Montgomery, AL), Mary’s son, John Lamar (Shaun) Thomas, and his children (Montgomery, AL), and Roosevelt’s son, Hauson Sanders, and his children, (Birmingham, AL). Roosevelt will be missed by his brothers and sisters: Eddie (Diane) Sanders (Montgomery, AL), Dirk Smith (Atlanta, GA), Bernice (Nathaniel) Hodoh, Dafney Hawkins and Carmella Smith (Akron, OH), and Minister Katrinka (Minister William) Carlton (Lakeland, FL). He also leaves to mourn in-laws: Pamela Harris (Dallas, GA), Estella (Wesley) Thomas (Huntingtown, MD), Isaac (Darlene) Dickson, (Spartanburg, SC), John Eric (Kim) Dickson, (St. Albans, WV), and Kendra (Rufus) Hudson, (Mobile, AL) and grandchildren. He will be remembered fondly by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and former basketball players and fellow coaches.

Roosevelt will be greatly missed! His many jokes and stories will never be lost or forgotten. Rest well Coach. We love you so much and will miss you dearly!

NOTICE: Please be mindful that the State of Alabama and the CDC have advised that we limit gatherings and that individuals who are ill and or are at-risk (e.g., elderly, immune-compromised) should be encouraged to stay home. Social Distancing Practices will be observed during the visitation and service.