Dr. James William Sanders Sr. of 1909 W. Buford St., husband of Rubye Corry Sanders, passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at 4:15 p.m. at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Spartanburg.

A native of Union, he was the son of the late William Sanders Jr. and the late Essie Morehead Sanders. His spiritual duties included pastor of Bethel Baptist Church for 60 years and pastor of Island Creek Baptist Church for 38 years.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Benedict College in Columbia, his Master of Science from A&T University in Greensboro, N.C., and did further studies at the University of South Carolina and Starks Theological Seminary of Columbia. A Doctor of Divinity degree was bestowed upon him by Friendship College in Rock Hill and a Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Morris College in Sumter.

Dr. Sanders served as Moderator of the Thickety Mountain Baptist Association for 38 years and was presently Moderator Emeritus. He was a former member of the Trustee Board of Morris College. At the time of his passing he was serving as Vice Chairman of the Trustee Board at South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, and president of the Cherokee County Black Ministerial Alliance.

Dr. Sanders was a former chairman of the South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments, serving six counties; chairman of the Regional Area Agency on Aging, inclusive of Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties. He was a former member of the Cherokee County Election Commission; former member of the Civil Service Commission; past first vice-president of the Cherokee County Democratic Party; member of the Executive Board of the Saints' Club of Limestone College; former member of the Cherokee County Mental Health Board; former member of the City Planning and Zoning Commission; former member of the Habilitation Board of Cherokee County; past Steering Committee member of Lt. Governor Mike Daniel of South Carolina; and a former member of the City of Gaffney Multi-Plex Steering Committee.

As an educator, he was the former vice-principal of Sims High School in Union. He was recently appointed by Gov. Sanford to the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Public Service Authority.

Among his awards and honors, Dr. Sanders has been listed in Who's Who Among Black Leader of the South – 1975; Who's Who in America Among Black Leaders – 1984; and Who's Who in America Among Top Executives – 1998; Omega Psi Phi Citizen of the Year; first recipient of the Hall of Fame Award of the Cherokee County Branch of the NAACP – 1996.

Dr. Sanders was presented by the Governor of the State of South Carolina the Order of the Palmetto Gentlemen Award, which is the highest award that can be given to a citizen of the state. Dr. Sanders has also received awards from the mayors of Gaffney and Blacksburg, the State Representatives of South Carolina, and the State Senate of South Carolina.

Dr. Sanders was inducted and recipient of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce 2002 Hall of Fame Award; received the 2002 Whitney M. Young Jr. Palmetto Council Boy Scouts of America Service Award; and was presented the 2005 Golden Age Award by the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention for Dedicated and Meritorious Service for more than 50 years in the preaching ministry. He was the 2005 honoree inducted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame presented by the United Black Fund of the Midlands Inc., Columbia.

He was fraternally associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Dr. James W. Sanders Jr. of Duncan; two daughters, Jewette S. Patterson (Roger Sr.) and Ruzlin S. Smith

Leroy Sr.), both of Gaffney; his sister, Marionette S. Daniels of Silver Springs, Md.; three grandchildren, Phillip L. McHam Jr., Roy Lee Smith and William S. Smith, all of Gaffney; his great-grandchild, Zjyon M. Harris of Gaffney; two sisters-inlaw, Lillie Sanders of Capitol Hill, Md., and Rosa Ellis of Gaffney; and a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren and other relatives.

Services will be held Monday, July 12, at 5 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church. He will lie instate from 3 p.m. until the hour of the services.

Memorial services will be held Sunday, July 11, at 6 p.m. at Island Creek Baptist Church in Cowpens. He will lie instate from 4 p.m. until the hour of the services.

Private interment will be Tuesday, July 13.

The family is at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Baptist Church Capital Campaign Fund; Island Creek Baptist Church Building Fund; or Dr. J.W. and Rubye C. Sanders Sr. Foundation Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements by Foster Funeral Home.