Riley Greene Sanders Jr.

Mr. Riley Greene Sanders Jr., age 90 of Milner, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at his residence.Mr. Sanders was born on Jan. 8, 1924 in Griffin, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Riley Greene Sanders Sr. and Opal Sims Sanders; sister, Helen Sanders Wilson Hoffmeister; brother, Maurice Sanders.  Riley attended Third Ward Elementary School until moving to Lamar County in 1932.  He attended Central School there before entering Milner High School in 1942. He was active in basketball and Boy Scouts. After graduation he enrolled at Georgia Tech, but was drafted due to World War II. He joined the Armed Services and served our country in the U.S. Army. While in the military he served many assignments and attended Augustana Bible School at Moline, Ill. After his tour of duty he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Air Force. He entered University of Georgia graduating with a degree in agricultural economics in 1949. After graduation he was employed at Griffin Grocery, where he met his wife of 63 years, Eleanor Harmon. During his life he worked in many different businesses in the Griffin area, HV Kell, Sears, Commercial Bank & Trust, Riley Sanders Dairy, National Feed Company, A.L. Williams and Griffin Hardware. He was very active in several churches in the community, Rehoboth Baptist Church, Orchard Hill First Baptist, and First Baptist of Griffin.  He served as Sunday school director, bus ministry outreach, youth ministry, and led men’s Bible class, cemetery committee, building committee and Deacon.  He was also active in many clubs including the American Business Club, Kiwanis Club, Meridian Sun Lodge #26, the ShrinesYaraab Temple and the American Legion #25.  Riley served as a county commissioner for Lamar County in the early 1960’s.  He enjoyed farming and gardening, even as recently as the summer of 2013, growing tomatoes, peppers and watermelons.  He loved his family, especially having everyone join him for Sunday dinner.  His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of his life.  He really enjoyed taking them to Buck Creek and teaching them the good things in life. Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Harmon Sanders; daughters and sons-in-law, Claire and Al White, Joyce and George Hadsell; sister, Sue Holloway; grandchildren Jennifer and Brian Head, Brian and Jessica Cook, Scott Mitchell, Chris and Mary Beth Mitchell, Jeffrey and Rebecca Mitchell, Joe Hadsell, Jayne Figueroa, Bill Reynolds, Crystal Fallin; great grandchildren, Joseph and Genevieve Head, Jonathan and Gracie Mitchell, Clarice and Abrianna Cook, Daniel and Ava Mitchell, Preston Harp, Gage and Hailey Hadsell.A memorial service for Mr. Riley G. Sanders was conducted Friday, January 31, 2014 at 3 p.m. at Rehoboth Baptist Church. Reverend Jessie Dasher officiated. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Rehoboth Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1304 Barnesville Rd., Griffin, Ga. 30224 in memory of Mr. Riley G. Sanders. Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 W. McIntosh Rd. Griffin had charge of arrangements. www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com.