Elliott F. Sanders

Elliott F. Sanders of James Island, SC died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on the evening of May 6^th, 2022.

Born on December 28, 1926, in Blacksville, SC, he was the son of the late James Grover Sanders, Sr. and Daisy Weekley Sanders. He is also proceeded in death by his sister, Lois Logan, and a brother Jimmy Sanders.

Elliott volunteered to join the army before finishing high school and spent about a year in Germany as WWII was coming to an end. Upon his return to the states, he attended Georgia Military College where he completed his high school studies and began work on his college degree. Thanks to football, he was offered a scholarship to transfer and play for Wofford College. He graduated from Wofford in 1954 and in 1991 was inducted into the Wofford College Athletic Hall of Fame. He always gave credit to Wofford for the success he would later have in life. He would say “Wofford gave a poor kid from Barnwell County the chance at an education just for playing football.”

After college, Elliott coached and taught school before moving into the highway construction industry. In 1962 he co-founded, along with his brother Jimmy, Sanders Brothers Construction Company in North Charleston. His work was his passion. He was always trying to help someone, or some process work better.  The success that came from that was always used to help others and was always done with a humble heart. He was always giving credit to those around him. He was still known to show up in the office into his early 90’s and never stopped working in his mind until the Lord called him home.

He loved his family most of all and cherished every minute with them. July 4^th celebrations with friends and family filling up the house were some of his best memories. He was a longtime member of James Island Presbyterian church and supported many other charities.

He is survived by the love of his life for over 60 years, his wife Helen G. Sanders, two sons: Ell Sanders, Jr. (Debbie) of Eutawville, SC, and Greg Sanders (Melissa) of James Island, SC; five grandchildren Cole, Virginia Hays, Gregory, Elliott, and Jane McCrae; and many nieces and nephews.

We would like to give a special thank you to his caregiver for the past 5 years Mishell Herndon. She raised his quality of life immensely as his health declined. We are forever grateful.             

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 347 Folly Road, James Island, SC 29412. A Funeral Service will be held at 11: 00 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at James Island Presbyterian Church, 1632 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to James Island Presbyterian Church, 1632 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412.