James Clifton Sanders

After a long, hard fought battle with leukemia, James Clifton Sanders, age 89 of Dunn, passed away at his home on Friday, November 14, 2025 with family at his side. He was born near Elizabethtown, NC in Bladen County on March 2, 1936 to the late Stella Mae Chapman.

In addition to his mother, James was preceded in death by loving wife, Clara Joyce Sanders, who m he lost to cancer in 2011. Also his son, Clifton Sanders, half brother, James Chapman, and half sister Florence.

He is survived by his son, Larry Sanders and wife, Susan of Virginia; daughter-in-law, Sylvia, (late son, Clifton’s wife) of Bunnlevel, and daughter, Gloria Kay Dehosson and husband Frederick of Clayton. Grandchildren, Michael Sanders and wife, Amanda of Virginia; Steven Davis and wife, Kimberly of Tennessee. Also Jeremy and wife, Tory, of Bunnlevel, Amy Driggers and husband, Junior, of Bunnlevel, and Robert Davis and wife, Brittany of Fontana, CA. Great grandchildren include Oliver James, Justin, Jonathan, Mady, and Courtnie; Other survivors include half-brothers, Robert Chapman, and half-sister, Mary Bullard.

James worked hard all of his life taking care of his family. He was employed at Nello Teer-Lehigh Hanson gravel sand company where he ran heavy equipment, particularly a drag line.

In prior years, James and wife, Clara loved to travel and they visited many of the 50 states, especially on bus tours. He really enjoyed a three week excursion to Alaska. In more recent years, he and his girlfriend, Kay Bass enjoyed traveling together. Other favorite hobbies included deer hunting, fishing in ponds, and attending auctions, where he found many unique treasures.

James was very loved by family and friends, and will be dearly missed.

Services will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025 at the Dunn Funeral Home of Erwin located at 904 Lucas Street, Erwin, NC. Visitation will be at 10:00am with the funeral service at 11:00 in the funeral home chapel, and burial following at Blacks Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery in Godwin, NC.

Dunn Funeral Home of Erwin is honored to serve the family of James Clifton Sander