Coach Roosevelt Sanders Obituary in Montgomery at Phillips-Riley Funeral Home

Obituary For Coach Roosevelt Sanders

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.

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Hello...Coach Sanders was my mom's (Dafney) oldest sibling. So he was so much more than "Coach Sanders" to me. He was my "Super Cool" uncle. A role model. A leader. An inspiration. And a coaching legend. But most of all...A Child of God. And on January 22, 2022, God called His child home. And said to him..."Son...Job. Well. Done." As a child, my family and I would travel from Ohio to Montgomery during the Christmas holiday. And this trip meant so much to me because it not only meant seeing my grandparents, but it also was my time to shine as Uncle Roosevelt would let me be an "honorary ball boy" (lol) as they played in the annual Blue-Gray Classic. And after winning (which they typically did...lol), he would let me ride on the team bus with them to Perkins for dinner! In my young eyes...those Central players (including his son, and my cousin "Hot Son") were ROCK STARS!! But in my eyes...the "band" was nothing without their lead singers...Coach B...and my Uncle Roosevelt. Anyone that ever witnessed a Central game will remember 3 things: That stall offense, his Jheri Curl, and those Cowboy Boots!! Lol (Sigh)...Uncle Roosevelt...we lovingly honor you. Your legacy will continue to live on not only in our family, but in the hearts of everyone that was fortunate enough to have come into your life, whether for a reason, season, or lifetime. You changed the game. But most importantly, you changed lives. Rest Up Coach. You can hang up your whistle now. I Love You. We Love You.
-Will Hawkins III Charlotte, NC

To the family: To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. I'm confident that he made it to Him. His humor and humble spirit will be missed. Live on Mr. Roosevelt. McCoy, Pennic, and Starling Family

Roosevelt, my Dear Roosevelt. You have been a wonderful father to Hasuon and my gracious friend for many years. Our hearts are saddened but RIP because you had a good run. I know that someday we will all be together again when we join you in our heavenly home. (Cynthia)

On behalf of the Miles College basketball family we want to salute our leader, father, and hero for giving us the intestinal fortitude to matriculate through this journey called life! Because of his life we are better people, his memory will continue to live on through each and everyone of us. Because the lessons he taught us on the court have helped us succeed off the court. The stories he shared during practice or during conversation molded, developed, and shaped young men to become better human beings. Because of him, and in his words" I/we are able to walk into the jungle with just a toothpick and return home from battle victorious! We love you, we miss you, and I would say rest well angel. But I know that to absent from us you are present in the lord because you have served his people and strengthened his army of soldiers. The Lord has called you home. A member of the 99-01 Golden Bear Family. (Bear's Forever)

We will miss Coach Sanders tremendously! We are so thankful for all of his wisdom and loving advice over the years. Mike and Tamilya Davis

RIP Coach R. Sanders

I and so many others remember Coach as a Druid High Dragon. He was a great coach at both schools RIHP

I and so many others remember Coach as a Dragon, we cheered for the Mighty Dragons under Coach Sanders.RIP Take the floor and go for the Win in heaven

Peace of the Lord be with your family and friends at this difficult time. May your soul be at peace and rest with thee. Ernestine Sankey Lockett, Carver class of 1956

So sorry for your loss

Continued Prayers for the Family - May God Continue to Keep you all in His Care- Connie Bryant Ferguson

Thank you for all great laughs, encouragement, advice and leaving a legacy. RIP Coach!

Thank you for making boys into men!

Thank you for believing in my so Terry Jones Jr. and giving him life long lessons to make him a better man!

Coach, you will be miss RIP your friend Judy Little

May God continue to strengthen and comfort you all.Evelyn Smart, class of 1975 Union Springs High School.

Coach will be missed my prayers are with you and family Jim Cooper Union springs RIP

Coach will be missed my prayers are with you

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

Phillips-Riley Funeral Home | Montgomery, AL