Sad News from Grenada - Buddy Sanders

[Joy Marter Tippit]

THIS WAS IN DECEMBER 15, DAILY STAR IN GRENADA. 

 

Ben G. "Buddy" Sanders III passed away on Dec. 13, 2008, at 67, after a year-long battle with cancer.  Buddy was born and raised in Grenada, attended John Rundle High School, Northwest Junior College, and Delta State University. 

 

After serving four years in the U. S. Air Force, Buddy returned to Grenada in 1964 and began his profession as an ag pilot flying for Bob and Dale Christopher at Christopher Air Service.  When the Christophers retired, Buddy went to work flying for the Sturdivant Plantation in Glendora, Ms., where he worked until ill health forced his retirement in the spring of 2008.  At his retirement, Buddy had acquired over 20,000 hours of flying time, making him one of the highest time pilots in the world.

 

Buddy's entire life was centered around aviation, having soloed at 16 and obtaining his commercial license at age 21.  He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Asssociation, the International Aerobatic Association and an active aerobatic pilot.  He built two experimental airplanes and was working on a third at the time of his death.  He had his own private hanger at the Grenada Airport and on Sunday afternoons, it was a gathering place for pilots and friends from around this area and north Mississippi.  Impromptu aerobatic displays and watermelon cuttings were the norm.  Few people are as blessed to have as many friends from all walks of life as Buddy.  As was said by the son of one of his many close friends, "Buddy is the nicest person I ever met."

 

Buddy was also an avid reader with a keen interest in historical works and novels pertaining to Southern culture.  His favorite book was Dollar Cotton authored by John Faulkner, a rare literary gem that he shared with many of his friends. 

 

Buddy was the son of Ben G. Sanders Jr. and Magnolia Hayward Sanders, wo predeceased him, and is survived by three sisters, Pat Whitfield of Palm Bay, Fla. and Judy Ussery and Rebecca Sanders both of Grenada.  He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Denise, Karen, Dana, John, Jeff, Judy, Sierra, Wyatt and Fisher. 

 

Visitation will be held at Garner-Harper Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 16, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. with services and interment immediately following at Oddfellows Cemetery.

 

Memorial donations may be directred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

 

Garner-Harper Funeral Home in Grenada (662-226-4711) is in charge of the arrangements. 

 

 

[Joy]

Thank you, June, for forwarding this information to me so that it
could be posted on the JRHS.
I knew Buddy and his family. They lived around the corner from me on
Govan Street when we lived on Adams St.
Buddy was alway a "big boy" to me, and he was handsome and very kind
to a little girl.
Joy

[Joy]

From Margie Ayers:
Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 4:24 PM
> I am so sorry to hear this. Buddy was a dear friend. I
> didn't even know he was ill. I hadn't seen him in over a decade,
> but I have fond memories of him. We shared history class in high school and a love of
> history was something we had in common. He was one of the most
> laid-back, tolerant and non-judgmental people I ever knew. I will miss
> knowing he is in this world.
Margie

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[Joy]

I always thought Buddy was one of the best looking fellows at GHS!!
He and my brother were friends, and I did get up the nerve to ask him
to one band dance! I was visiting another friend in the Grenada
Hospital right before Thanksgiving, and he was right across the hall.
I talked to Judy in the hall, but he was having some sort of treatment
at that time, so I didn’t get to speak to him. Sorry I couldn’t
attend the funeral today.



Tena Rouse Taylor

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[Joy]

From Judith Lockett Jones via June Passer Sultan:

I knew Buddy thru my brother, Mike Lockett. They became great friends
thru their mutual love of airplanes & flying. Whenever I would visit
Mike, Buddy would “drop by” & say hi & we’d visit for a short time. I
remember he even “dropped by” the funeral home when mother passed away
in ’99 & then when poppa left us just over a year ago.

There was a lengthy obituary in the Commercial Appeal yesterday &
after reading it; I called Mike to make sure he had all the
information regarding Buddy’s funeral. I knew Mike & Buddy had been
really close the past year. Mike had been driving Buddy to Oxford for
doctor appointments when his disease & treatments had sapped his
strength to the point that Buddy couldn’t drive the round trip from
Grenada to Oxford & back. It pained Mike to see his friend suffer &
lose his battle against such a terrible “enemy” of the human body &
spirit.

For those of us who know the Lord Jesus as our savior, we know we are
not citizens of this world trying to make our way to heaven; we are
citizens of heaven trying to make our way through this world. We are
to live as citizens of another land; the Kingdom of God . We live as
though we are on a journey home; a home we know will have the lights
on and the door open and our Father waiting for us when we arrive.
That means in all adversity our worship of God is joyous, our life is
hopeful, and our future is secure in a crucified and risen Christ.

During this holiday season remember to keep Christ in Christmas. God
bless you all,



Judith Lockett Jones

[Joy]

From Rose Ann Blue via June Passer Sultan:

I haven't seen Ben since high school, but I, too remember him as being
laid back, easy to know, and just a super-nice person. I'm sure he
will be missed by his family and by those of us who were graced by his
existence on this earth. As Judith Jones has said, we are only
temporary inhabitants of this earth, and our home is with our Father.
That's what makes us able to say good-bye, however temporarily, to
those who have touched our lives. Good-bye for now, Ben. Rose Ann
(Blue) Narvid