David Alvin Sanders

Carefree, AZ- David Alvin Sanders, 87, died Wednesday, May 15, 2013. He was born in Johnston County, North Carolina to the late Vernona Austin and Willis Vance Sanders on May 1, 1926, the 3rd eldest of 13 children. He was known for his love of family and friends, joy of life, and dedication to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He served as Sunday School Superintendent and a Deacon at Fellowship Baptist Church in Garner, NC. He was a member of Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Carefree, AZ. While employed for over 30 years at Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh, NC, he was awarded the high honor of NC State Employee of the Year by Governor Robert W. Scott.He is survived by his loving daughters, Sylvia Dicaro and husband, Francesco of Louisville, KY and Tonya Jones and husband, Van of Carefree, AZ. Grandpa was much loved by his grandson, Lawrence Hunter Johnston of Louisville, KY and his two step-granddaughters, Melanie Boyle of Charleston, SC and Kelly Lawson of Louisville, KY. He is also survived by brothers, Robert Edmundson, Lewis Drexel, Dewey Nelson and Donald Michael; and sisters, Betty Frances Smith, Callie Rebecca Sorrell and Mary Jane Johnson. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of over 56 years, Janet Stephenson, his Father and Mother, 4 brothers, Wilbur Austin, Willis Vance, Raymond Hartwell, John Wesley and 1 sister, Judy Lane.Dad fought a brave battle since a stroke at age 55. And in the last years many thanks go to the care he received at the Mayo Clinic Arizona, and from the Foothills Caring Corps, Carefree, AZ and his dedicated caregivers, Sylvia, Tonya and Van, Susan Torrigian and Anita Lespron.Visitation will be held at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Garner, NC on Friday, May 24th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral service will be the next day, Saturday, May 25th at 2:00 pm at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Garner NC. Following the ceremony, he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Janet, at the Chapel of Memories, Montlawn Memorial Park, Raleigh, NC.Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Foothills Caring Corps, Carefree, AZ (www.foothillscaringcorps.com) phone: 480.488.1105, or Mayo Clinic Arizona(www.mayoclinic.com ) phone: 800.297.1185.