Odis Sanders, Sr

A tender and devoted husband, father and grandfather, Odis Sanders Sr., 76, went to be with his Lord and Savior at home on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, at 6:15 a.m. from ALS Lou Gehrig's Disease. Odis was beloved by a host of friends and family who supported him during these last two years as he and his faithful wife, Dot Alleman Sanders, battled this disease. Odis was a native of Zwolle in north Louisiana and the loving son of Agnes Meshell and Henry Sanders. Odis graduated from Zwolle High School and was a veteran of the Korean War. His family moved to Baton Rouge when he was in the military. After his military service, he moved to Baton Rouge where he joined his brothers, Billy and Fred, in the Baton Rouge Police Department. In 1955, Odis went on a blind date with Dorothy Dot Alleman, of Baton Rouge. They immediately fell in love and were engaged three weeks later. They were married June 2, 1956, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. Odis and Dot had a long and happy life together. They were very involved in many church and civic activities. Odis was proud of his police service and his American Indian heritage. Odis retired in 1982 as a captain and administrative assistant to the chief of police. He was past president of the Fraternal Order of Police. Odis was a member of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb and served as a council member. He was a member of the Wounded Warriors Gourd Clan, Louisiana Indian Education Association, where he served as chairman, Grand Squares Square Dance Club, Knights of Columbus, Alcoholics Anonymous for 27 years and the Penny Pals Retiree Group. He is survived by his cherished wife, Dot Alleman Sanders; children, Wanda Sanders Campbell and husband Jon, of Dallas, and Odis Sanders Jr. and his girlfriend, Yvonne Rheams; and grandchildren, Bethany Campbell, Katherine Campbell and Melissa Campbell. He was preceded in death by his parents, Agnes Meshell and Henry Sanders; brother, Fred Sanders; sister-in-law, Sue Rivers Sanders; in-laws, Mary Navo Alleman and John Alleman; and brother-in-law, Johnny Alleman. He is also survived by his family: sister, Ann Sanders Strickland; sister-in-law, Norma Sanders; brother, Billy Sanders and wife Nell; brother, Bobby Sanders and wife Dot; sister, Patricia Sanders Blanchard and husband Louis; brother, Larry Sanders and wife Bobbye; sister-in-law, Terresa Sanders Ellis; in-laws, Anna Alleman Hodgeson and husband Connie, Audrey Alleman Brown and husband Buddy, Carol Alleman, Charles Alleman and wife Doris, and Nolan Alleman and wife Bobbie; and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Chad Sanders, Bill Sanders Jr., Mark Olson, Josh Alexander, Keith Hodgeson, Nolan Alleman and Louis Blanchard. Visitation at Resthaven Funeral Home on Monday, Aug. 11, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation resumes at St. Isidore Catholic Church on Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. until funeral Mass at 10 a.m. The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice and all of the physicians and nurses involved in his care. Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Association of Baton Rouge or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Monday, August 11, 2008
5pm8pm

Service

Visitiation

St. Isidore Catholic Church
5657 Thomas Rd
Baton Rouge, LA  70811
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
9am10am

Mass of Christian Burial

St. Isidore Catholic Church
5657 Thomas Rd
Baton Rouge, LA  70811
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
10am

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816

Memorial Contributions

ALS Association
640 Main Street
Baton Rouge, LA  70801

Muscular Dystrophy Association
National Headquarters
Tucson, AZ  85718