Charles Walter Sanderlin, Sr.

Charles Walter Sanderlin, Sr. returned to the arms of the Lord peacefully on June 25, 2025, at the age of 88. A funeral service celebrating Charles’ life will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025, at Salem Methodist Church. Visitation will begin at 10:00AM followed by the service at 11:00AM. Rev. Mark Carter will officiate. Pallbearers will be Trey DeVane, Ben Dupree, Ken Greene, Derek Humphries, Jim Harvey and Rusty Harvey.

Mr. Sanderlin was born on July 2, 1936, in Cuthbert, GA to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Griffin Sanderlin. He graduated from Cuthbert High School in 1954 and attended Piedmont College on a basketball scholarship where he graduated in 1958 with a degree in mathematics. He returned to Southwest GA to serve his community through teaching high school algebra, coaching multiple sports teams, and mentoring young men and women at Americus High School from 1958- 1962. He began his career in the agricultural services industry in the mid-1960’s at Thompson Hayward Chemical Company. He would ultimately purchase and grow this company until his retirement in 1997. At what would ultimately become Sanderlin Agricultural Services he cared deeply for his employees, worked hard to provide opportunities for their families, his family, and the farmers of Southwest GA.

While he was dedicated to his work, his greater calling was to his community, his family, and Christ. Charles served within Salem Methodist Church throughout his life, where he grew his own faith and the faith of others through the Emmaus Community. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed decades of hunting and fishing. Beyond this, his family remembers how he lovingly taught many generations to water ski at Lake George. His family recalls his deep love for them which manifested in a focused, yet ever kind commitment to the development of their character and faith. His earthly legacy is felt strongly by the family he helped raise into strong men and women, those employees he helped lead in his career, and his earthly and spiritual dedication throughout his life.

Charles is survived by his wife of 58 years, Vangie DeVane Sanderlin of Sumter County; daughter and son-in-law; Jennifer Sanderlin Allen and Dr. Ronald V. Allen of Valdosta, GA; and son and daughter-in-law Dr. Charles Walter Sanderlin, Jr. and Samantha Barfield Sanderlin of Valdosta, Ga; and son-in-law and wife; Rick Whaley and Kelley Whaley of Americus, GA. His passing is also mourned by his grandchildren; Dr. Griffen Allen and Dr. Katherine Allen of Seattle, WA, Will Allen of Walla Walla, WA, Taylor Sanderlin and fiancé, Sam Martin of Athens, GA, Gracyn Sanderlin of Athens, GA, Charles Walter Sanderlin, III of Athens, Ga, Rylee Willis of Shellman, GA, and Jett Willis of Shellman, GA. He is also survived by a great grandchild Walter David Allen (Griffen/Katherine). He is survived by a sister-in-law; Carlynn Kirby and special friends Ben and Marcia Dupree. He was preceded in death by his sisters; Chris Brazeal and Frances Thompson. He was also preceded in death by a daughter; Virginia Sanderlin Whaley.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Perfect Care and Pruitt Health Hospice for their kind and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Salem Methodist Church.