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James Preston Sanders, 84, of Bainbridge, Ga., passed away Thursday, February 11, 2021.

The memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Chris Humphries officiating. William Thomas Sanders, Preston’s brother, will deliver the eulogy. Due to the ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, those attending are asked to maintain the recommended safe social distancing of six feet and/or wear protective masks in accordance with the State of Georgia guidelines.

Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.

Mr. Sanders was born January 16, 1937 in Thomaston, Ga. to James Merrell and Martha Louise (Blount) Sanders. He graduated in the class of 1955 from Robert E. Lee High School in Thomaston and later served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He moved to Atlanta where he worked in retail for 24 years before moving to Texas for 5 years and Oklahoma for 10 years to work in property management business. When he retired in 1993, he worked on his small cattle ranch until moving to Bainbridge, Ga. in 2003. He enjoyed small woodworking projects. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Bainbridge.

Mr. Sanders was preceded in death by his son, Craig Preston Sanders. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Maxine; his grandson, Preston Richard Sanders of Menan, ID; his sisters, Janice Lott of Fairfax, Va., and Charlene Woodall of Thomaston, Ga.; and his brother, Thomas Sanders of Conyers, Ga.