Mr. Jimmy Kyle Sanford Sr.'s Obituary
Jimmy Kyle Sanford
Jimmy Kyle Sanford, age 83, of Dadeville, Alabama was born in Dadeville on June 23, 1932 and went to his heavenly home on November 28, 2015. His parents Charles Ernest “Charlie” Sanford and Mary Elizabeth “Sister” Hardy Sanford; his brother, Charles William Sanford; his mother-in-law, Odelle Gothard Black; his father-in-law, Harry Pelham Black; his brother-in-law, William Ray Black and his niece-in-law, Debbie Newman Sanford, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Billie Nell Black Sanford; his daughter, Harriet Ann Sanford White and husband Richard; his son Jimmy Kyle “Jim” Sanford, Jr. and wife Karen; grandchildren, Dr. Kyle Sanford and Lindsay Sanford; sister-in-law, Bessie Price Sanford; Ray’s wife, Robbie Black; brother-in-law, Donald G. Black and wife Martha Fay; niece, Nancy Sanford Washburn and husband, Jack, all of Dadeville and nephews, Charles William Sanford, Jr. and Dr. Shelby Price Sanford and wife Lisa of Tuscaloosa. Jimmy and Billie Nell’s marriage exemplified the passage from Ruth 1:16 which reads “Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Jimmy and Billie Nell embraced both families as one. Many aunts, uncles, and cousins in his extended family showered him with love and support over the years, and he loved them dearly. The family would like to thank his many faithful friends for their constant prayers and many acts of kindness along with the daily caretaking provided for him by Sarah, Tami, and Lori Wilson, Dr. Robert Schuster and the entire staff of Lake Martin Hospice and Lake Martin Community Hospital.
Mr. Sanford served his church, family, school, community and country with a servant’s heart. He had a gift for building relationships. He graduated from Dadeville High School is 1950 where he especially enjoyed cultivating lifetime friendships. After high school he enlisted in the Air Force serving in Germany during the Korean War. After returning from the war, he worked in his father’s hardware store, and he married the love of his life, Billie Nell Black Sanford, on June 18, 1955. Later he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn University where he also completed additional graduate work in administration.
He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Dadeville where he faithfully served his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for many years as Training Union Director, a Sunday School teacher, and a deacon. As a lifelong citizen of Dadeville he also enjoyed sharing stories from around the town square especially the court house yard, as well as times with old school friends and his memories of playing quarterback for the Dadeville Tigers. He enjoyed many years of membership in the Dadeville Quarterback Club and assisted with the Dadeville Tiger Club Drives. He also was a member of the American Legion and VFW and served on the boards of the East Alabama Mental Health Association and the Tallapoosa Society of Crippled Children and Adults. He enjoyed completing projects at home in Dadeville as well as at the beach where he served as President of the Beach Front Condo Association for many years.
His career as an educator began at the Opelika Achievement Center followed by coming home to Dadeville High School where he served as a teacher, coach, and guidance counselor before serving the teachers and students of Tallapoosa County Schools as the Federal Programs Coordinator and as Assistant Superintendent of Education for 18 years. In 1985, he was elected as Tallapoosa County’s Superintendent of Education and served from 1985-1993 before retiring with 36 years of dedicated service to public education. Mr. Sanford always cared and tried to be good and fair to all of the students, their families, and personnel in the Tallapoosa County Schools and in all his dealings with the public. Among the greatest accomplishments during his tenure were the building of Horseshoe Bend School, the Dadeville High School Media Center/Classroom addition, Edward Bell Elementary School Annex and the purchase of the land for the site of the current Reeltown High School. He was honored by the school board with the naming of the media center as the Jimmy K. Sanford Media Center. Through it all, he provided a great Christian example for his family and friends. He and Billie Nell received great joy from being able to be a part of the activities of his children, grandchildren, extended family and friends over the years.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm CST, Monday, November 30, 2015 at First Baptist Church of Dadeville. Reverend Gary Wiggins and Reverend Lowell Ledbetter will officiate with assistance from Dr. Shelby P. Sanford and Jim B. Black, Jr. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12 to 1:30 in the church fellowship hall. Interment will follow at the Dadeville City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial gifts be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 308, Dadeville, Alabama 36853; the Dadeville Tiger Club, 430 East Lafayette Street, Dadeville, Alabama 36853; Lake Martin Hospice, 201 Mariarden Road, Dadeville, AL 36853; or to the Tallapoosa County School of your choice. Mr. Sanford will be remembered for providing strong and wise leadership in his kind and gracious manner while leaving his footprints throughout Dadeville and Tallapoosa County, especially in his church and its schools. Langley Funeral Home of Camp Hill is handling arrangements.
Pallbearers are Donald Black, Jim B. Black, Jr., Charles W. “Sandy” Sanford, Jr., Dr. Kyle Sanford, Dr. Shelby Sanford, and Jack Washburn.
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