Robert J. Sanders

August 8, 1920 - February 5, 2012

Big Stone Gap, VA Robert Sanders, 91, went to live with the Lord on Sunday, February 5, 2012, after passing away at the Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. He lived most of his life in Big Stone Gap, VA. He was very active part of his church and his community. He was baptized at an early age. He loved volunteer work and helping with his community. He worked for Interstate Railroad, then Southern Railroad, for a total of forty years. He was a very avid, collector of can tops for the Ronald McDonald House donations may be made to the branch in Johnson City at 418 N State of Franklin Road Johnson City37604. He loved to do anything that would help someone else. He was the "keeper of the block!" He was married to his wife Clara Shortt Sanders for 65 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert L and Etta Sanders, His wife Clara Sanders, brother Woodrow Sanders, sister Maybrey Strahan, sister Sonja Moore. Surviving are his siblings, Margaret Dickenson, Hazel Abrams, Jim Sanders and wife Billie, all of Bristol, VA; Jack Sanders and wife, Bessie all of Bristol, TN, Beulah Ridgeway and husband Les of Dayton OH, Judy Poff and husband Fred of Big Stone Gap, Stella Richardson of Murrieta CA; brother in-law, Roy Moore of Brookville OH; and a host of nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their gratitude to all the wonderful care givers who have blessed his life in so many ways. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Holding Funeral Home (17 E. 3rd St., N.) in Big Stone Gap. The funeral service will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Mike Jones officiating. A committal service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. The family and friends will meet at the funeral home, by 10:30 a.m. on Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family and friends will serve as pallbearers. To view the obituary and sign the online registry, please visit www.holdingfuneralhome.com. Holding Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sanders family.