Joe E. Sanders

FLEMINGSBURG — Joe E. Sanders, 78, of Flemingsburg, passed away Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Hospice of Hope Care Center in Maysville after a very brief illness.

Born in Maysville on August 30, 1944, his parents were the late William and Mary Fleming Sanders.

Joe was raised in Leesburg, Ohio until the age of 14, when his family relocated to Flemingsburg because his father was transferred to help open the new Randall-Textron Company.

He entered the United States Army at the end of high school where he learned the different facets of communication.

Upon release from the Army, he was hired by General Telephone Company and retired from there after 41 years with them. During this time he also served in the local Army reserve unit and went on to retire from there having served 25 years and having attained the rank of Sergeant First Class.

He was a member of the Flemingsburg Christian Church having been elected to the position of deacon several years ago.

Joe was also a Kentucky Colonel.

Joe is survived by his wife of 54 years, Karen Meadows Sanders; his two children, Tammy Newsom and Michael Sanders, both of Fleming County; his four grandchildren; and one great-grandson. He is also survived by his nephew, Jeremy Bivens of North Carolina; his niece, Heather Drew of Alabama; along with many extended family members and friends.

In addition to his parents William and Mary, Joe was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Sanders in 2012.

The funeral service will begin at 7 p.m., Thursday, August 17, 2023, at Boone-Nickell Funeral Home with Pastor Marty Voiers officiating.

Visitation will be 5 p.m. until the hour of service at 7 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.

Joe will be laid to rest in Camp Nelson National Cemetery at 10 a.m., Friday, August 18, 2023 (6980 Danville Road, Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356).

Pallbearers include Michael Sanders, Dustin Johnson, Nick Johnson, David Meadows, Robert McGinnis, and Rob Ellis.

Honorary pallbearers Jim Meadows, Lisa Ellis, Diana Staggs, Jeff Meadows, Stephen Meadows, Ashley Meadows, Heather Drew, Jeremy Bivens, Abby Meadows, Silas Sanders, his fellow US Army reservists and his GTE co-workers, past and present.

In place of flowers please consider a donation in memory of Joe to a cause close to his heart, The Wounded Warrior Project of America (woundedwarriorproject.org).

Friends may offer online condolences at www.boonenickellfuneralhome.com.