Mr. Joe Rufus Sanders

January 28, 1933 - June 6, 2022

Joe Rufus Sanders Carthage, MS Joe Rufus Sanders entered his Heavenly home on June 6th, 2022 at 89 years. Joe was born January 25, 1933, to Elizabeth Mary Allen and Austin Lamar Sanders in Freeny, Mississippi. He graduated from Freeny High School in 1949 at 16 and soon after joined the United States Air Force. He served his country overseas in France and Germany until he returned in 1955 and married his first wife, Delores Sanders. Four years later, he moved his family to Carthage, MS, and established his permanent home. He opened Sinclair Service Station at the intersection of highways 16 and 35, followed by Sanders Body Shop & Garage. In 1974, he opened Central Mississippi Manufactured Homes. He was one of the pillar members of the Mississippi Manufactured Housing Association for over thirty years, serving the Association as President from 1982 to 1990. He was inducted in to the Hall of Fame in 1993. Joe served on the building committee for the current MMHA office in Flowood, MS. He received many retailers' awards for Central Mississippi Manufactured Housing. He was one of the few southern retailers in the United States to receive the Fleetwood Homes prestigious Circle of Excellence Award for ten straight years. Joe was in the Mobile Home business for over forty years and was well respected by all who knew and worked with him. He was appointed to the board of directors at Central Electric Power Company on August 4, 1989, serving as president from March 17, 1992 until his death. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Carthage. His parents and older sibling, Dayton Sanders precede him in death; and twin boys who died in infancy. He is survived by a large, loving family that included one sister, Virginia Alford; his loving and devoted wife of 42 years, Betty Sanders. She was constantly at his side during the final weeks caring for him. His five children - Jane Chwastecki, spouse Dave; Patricia Butterbaugh, spouse Dale; Joey Sanders, spouse Lynn; Lamar Sanders, spouse Tracy, and Kandyce Richardson, spouse Krissy. He was a patriarch to not only his own children but also his step-children: Mary Kimble, spouse Troy; Mona Lebleu, spouse Paul; James and Dwayne Sutton. He was a loving papaw to his grandchildren: Elizabeth, Chance, Taylor, Shelby and spouse Dylan, Jonclaud, Lathan, Cami, Zeb, Kane, Jarrod, Garrett, Brooklyn Evey, Jason, and Doug. He was fortunate to have 3 great-grandchildren: Dawson and Maeleigh Watts and Dawson Sutton. Joe lived a long and blessed life. He spent his free time enjoying his hobbies, that included traveling, working on the farm, and playing Dominoes, in which he was competitive even in his older years. Joe enjoyed reading the Bible and books of all types, especially biographies. Joe loved spending time with family and visiting with others. He never forgot a name or a face and was mentally sharp until the end. While many of his generation had passed on, Joe had friends of all ages and will be missed deeply by his family, the community of Carthage, and beyond. We will never forget his deep chuckling laugh, his love for suspenders, and his smile after a delicious meal. Papa Joe loved us all for who we are, and we loved him in return. Rest peacefully, Joe! The family would like to extend a special thank you to Stephanie and Bridgette of Sta Home Healthcare, who provided exceptional nursing care to Joe. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Carthage. Visitation is 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 10, 2022 at Wilcox Funeral Home. Services are 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at First Baptist Church of Carthage with Bro. Stephen Evans and Bro. Eddie Hamilton officiating. Internment is in Freeny Cemetery. Pallbearers are CEPA Board of Directors: Pettey Leach, Danny Thornton, Phillip Crosby, Mike Brooks, Earl Browning, Hanna Watson, Max Loper, Kenneth Hagan, and David Boyd.