Leon Sanders (Affectionately called Mane) was born on June 30, 1940, to the late Elijah and Katie M. Sanders of Yazoo City, Mississippi (Both preceded him in death). He was the third of the ten children born to that union. He loved and shared a special relationship with each of his siblings. His love for them moved him to go out of his way to do anything he could to assist them.

Leon took various courses to finish his education so as to acquire a variety of skills. He was a master mechanic, master pipefitter, and welder for over 36 years. He was pretty much a jack of all trades. He retired from General Motors on June 1, 2002

He married the love of his life Billie Jean (who preceded him in death) on August 18, 1963, and to that union, seven children were born and several grandchildren that they lovingly helped raise as their own. Together they worked hard to raise their children on the southside of Chicago, where they resided for twenty-four years and attended the Beverly Congregation, before moving to Matteson, IL., where he attended the Olympia Fields Congregation.

Although he pursued an education in different areas to be of assistance to his family and friends, his greatest educational endeavor was the one that helped him get a personal relationship with his God, father, and friend, Jehovah. He symbolized his dedication by water baptism in DeKalb, IL at the 1999 “God’s Prophetic Word” District Convention. He loved the ministry and working with his brothers and sisters brought him much joy. Leon was even able to reach his goal of becoming a Regular Pioneer for several years before family responsibility made it necessary for him to discontinue. His love for his Heavenly Father, his exemplar Jesus Christ, and his neighbors moved him to volunteer more of his time to speak to his family and neighbors about the Bible in different facets of the ministry and to auxiliary pioneer on a regular basis.

He was a very generous, kind, mild, and patient person. There was not a person that he saw in need and didn't render help to. He had true empathy for others and always tried to see the best in everyone. His children and grandchildren held a special space in his heart and benefited the most from these qualities from infancy into adulthood. He was a great provider and best friend to each. He worked hard to imitate his loving Creator and the example Jesus left.

He loved all of his grandchildren, spending time with them and expending himself to help them. He viewed them all as his sons and daughters. Because of his kind nature, everyone who got to know him viewed him as a father, grandfather, uncle, and or reliable friend. He also loved all of his nieces and nephews. He was especially loved by all of his nieces and nephews. Uncle Mane as they all called him, treated them all with love and kindness and because of his kind nature, he was special to them.

For anyone who knew him, they saw how hard he worked and cared for his garden. It was a passion and something he thrived at, but it was never just for him and his family, it was always shared with others. He always opened up his home and hands to others to show genuine hospitality. There would be people to even come off the road and ask for items from his garden because they could see it from the main road and he would just give it to them. He also had a passion for making wine, to make something with his hands for others to enjoy gave him much delight.

Leon was good at making things grow and looked forward to the time when the earth would be cultivated into a beautiful paradise. He was already anticipating assisting his family and friends to learn how to make things grow. Leon always expressed his sincere desire to see his beloved wife, mother, father, and two brothers in the coming resurrection. He also encouraged his children and grandchildren to serve Jehovah with all their hearts so as to see them when he awakens in God’s New World. He hopes to have all his family be there with him.

Leon fell asleep in death on Monday, December 20, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elijah and Katie Sanders, his wife, two brothers; James and Curtis Sanders, two brothers-in-law; Marco Salgado and Levi Stewart, and a beloved son-in-law Heural Griffith.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his children, and his grandchildren that he considered his and was raised as such: Loretha Sanders, Leon Darnell (Rochelle) Sanders, Rolisha (Gerald) Smith, Catherine Sanders, Edeverett Sanders, Angela (J.S.) Sanders-Hester, Katie Sanders-Griffith, Franshean (Delores) Sanders,  Dominic "Jamal" Sanders, Lee Andrew Sanders. His Siblings; Dorothy Stewart, Edward (Eula) Sanders, Ruth Ingram of Arkansas, Jeff (Elizabeth) Sanders, Alberta (Claude) Reed, Velma Myles (Jessie), and Gloria Milton-Salgado.  Sixteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren, a host of sisters and brothers-in-law; a host of nieces and nephews; a large family of spiritual brothers and sisters; and a host of friends to numerous to mention by name.

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