Obituaries: Sidney O. Sanders, Sabine Parish S-536 Source: Sabine Index, Many, La., May 7, 1997 Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck carlrad@earthlink.net ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Sidney O. Sanders (Photo) Funeral services for Sidney O. Sanders, 59, of Pleasant Hill, were held at Rose-Neath's Mansfield Chapel, Wednesday, April 30, at 4 p.m. Officiating was the Rev. Roy Mouser, a retired Methodist minister. Interment followed in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers included T. W. Hardee III, Joe T. Hardee, Hugh H. Hardee, R. Ray Hardee, Roy B. Bridges, and Joel C. Thomas Jr. Serving as honorary pallbearers were stockholders of Management Services of Beauregard Parish. Survivors include his widow, Sue Hardee Sanders of Pleasant Hill; his mother, Rita Martin Sanders of Baton Rouge; three children, Jack Sanders and wife Lisa Palmero Sanders of DeRidder, Kelli S. Mayfield and husband Steve of Shreveport, and Hardee S. Allen and husband Chris of Pleasant Hill; a sister, Elsie Crapanzano and husband Dr. Russell Crapanzano of Baton Rouge; and six grandchildren, Jenny, Janice, and Karlie Sanders, Sydney Mayfield, and Christian, and Emma Allen. Mr. Sanders died unexpectedly Tuesday morning, April 29, in Pleasant Hill. Sheriff's Dept. reports indicate Mr. Sanders was slumped in his vehicle, which was parked on the eastbound shoulder of Highway 174, approximately 1/4 mile outside the city limits of Pleasant Hill. A passer-by notified authorities, after stopping to offer assistance, at about 9:40 a.m. A leading citizen of the rural community, Mr. Sanders served on the Sabine Parish School Board from 1972-1980. During his terms on the Board, he was elected Vice President, and President. Even after giving his seat up on the Board, his interest in the betterment of parish schools continued. Several weeks before his death, he purchased software for computers at Pleasant Hill School. In 1983, he started a herd of Registered Brahman cattle, building his herd to approximately 100 head. During the ensuing years, he showed and won many ribbons in rings in Fort Worth, Houston, and Dallas. In 1994, he sold all but 20 head, which he boarded in Texas. At that time, he planted his acreage in pine trees. Most recently, Mr. Sanders was owner, consultant, and manager of six nursing homes, including Shady Lake Nursing Home in Lake Providence, Westwood Manor Nursing Home of DeRidder, Kinder Nursing Home, North Sabine Nursing Home of Pleasant Hill, Toledo Nursing Center of Zwolle, and Mansfield Nursing Center. Through his interests and expertise in the healthcare field, Mr. Sanders provided leadership for his family in the same field. His wife of 34 years, Sue, and son, Jack, are both licensed nursing home administrators, and his two daughters, Kellie, and Hardee are both registered nurses. Professionally, he held memberships in the Louisiana Nursing Home Association, and the American Brahman Breeders Association. Mr. Sanders was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Pleasant Hill until it sold. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Peoples State Bank since 1985. Born in Converse on August 1, 1937, to Dr. and Mrs. O. L. Sanders, he was one of two children. His sister, Elsie, is married to Dr. Russell Crapanzano, and resides in Baton Rouge. He attended elementary school in Converse, before moving to New Orleans. During his high school years, he was named All City in three sports, football, track, and baseball. In 1955, he graduated from St. Aloysius in New Orleans. He began his college career at LSU in Baton Rouge, before transferring to Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, where he earned a B.A. degree in 1959. He also did graduate studies at LSU. In 1962, he became administrator of Allen Sanitarium in Converse, upon the death of his father. He served in that capacity until it sold in 1972. At that time, he built and became administrator of Green Hill Nursing Home in DeQuincy. From there, he purchased Shady Lake, and Westwood Nursing Homes, and built Kinder, North Sabine, and Mansfield, with partners known as Management Services of Beauregard Parish. A family man, he enjoyed raising his children, becoming involved in many different aspects of their development. He served as a Little League Coach for several years. His greatest pride and joy were his three children, and six grandchildren, who provided him with hours and days of joy. Spare time was spent with his family, raising cattle, and supporting LSU athletics. He was an avid football and basketball fan. The death of Sidney Sanders was felt around the parish, as education lost a valued friend, and the town of Pleasant Hill lost a favorite son. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.