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MT. PLEASANT - Jerry Roger Sanders, 90, of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. (formerly of Barnwell) passed away on September 30th, 2024.
Mr. Sanders, husband of Julia H. Sanders of Barnwell, was a native of Spartanburg, S.C., a graduate of Greenville SC High School and the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was also a U.S. Navy veteran (1952 – 1955).
For nearly 50 years, Mr. Sanders was a sportswriter for the Greenville SC News (1958 – 1959), sportswriter and executive sports editor for The Charleston Post-Courier (1962 – 1979), and a sportswriter, assistant sports editor, and city editor (1959 – 1962;1986 – 2002) for the Augusta GA Chronicle. He was also the athletic director for the College of Charleston (1979 – 1983). He often remarked his most memorable interviews were with Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Muhammad Ali. He was an avid golf player and enthusiast, and particularly enjoyed his coverage of the Masters Golf Tournament for many years.
Mr. Sanders was a member of Bethel Park United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the Administrative Board and was president of the Methodist Men’s organization.
He is survived by three daughters, Debra S. Garland (Steve) of Gatlinburg, TN, Jerianne S. Peele (Jody) of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and Janet Patricia S. Biggerstaff (Dan) of McClellanville, S.C.; step-son, Brad Byrum (MeChelle) of Lexington, S.C.; nine grandchildren, Michael White (Jenny) of Gilbert, AZ, Megan Miner of U.S. Virgin Islands, Allison Loew (Chris) of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Nicole Riner (Neil) of New Market, TN, Sam and Jerry Patrick Biggerstaff, both of McClellanville, S.C., Bailey Byrum of Montreat, N.C., Kaitlyn B. Spearin (Trey) of Greenwood, S.C., and Holden Byrum of Lexington, S.C.; and nine great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy S. Mangum; father, Alvin J. (Bill) Mangum; his wife, Julia H. Sanders of Barnwell, S.C.; as well as his sister, Patricia Jones (Steve) of Atlanta, GA.
A graveside funeral service will be held on Friday, October 11th, 2024 at 11 a.m. in the Barnwell United Methodist Cemetery, with Pastor Rudy Gwaltney officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrance donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, samaritanspurse.org.
Mole Funeral Home of Barnwell is assisting the family with arrangements. Sign the online guestbook at molefh.com.
