Raymond Sanders

Raymond Sanders, Jr., 91, of Versailles passed away at 2:45am Sunday, October 1, 2017 at the Manderley Health Care Center in Osgood. He was born at Waynesburg in Lincoln County, Kentucky on September 9, 1926, the son of Raymond Sr. and Lula Mae Oaks Sanders. He was married to Kathy Smith on February 14, 1988, and she preceded him in death on September 22, 2008. Survivors include two sons Dennis (Lisa) Sanders, and Mike (Evie) Sanders both of Versailles; two daughters Linda (Charles) Shockey of Indianapolis and Patricia Renfro of Batesville; one step-son Kevin (Cindy) Oleckniche; 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Black Sanders, and his sisters Bessie Weaver, Mary Jewell Lay, Lillian Jacobs, Lou Ellen Geabes, and Dorothy Burress. Ray and his brother-in-law, George Geabes, founded Service Central in Versailles, and Ray was also a former employee of Reynolds Gas and Empire Gas. For over 50 years he was a Special Deputy for the Ripley County Sheriff's Office. In this capacity, Ray's time was spent working security for South Ripley basketball games, after game dances, and the Pumpkin Show. Through the years this enabled him to make many friends among the students and teachers. He also worked security for the NMLRA in Friendship. Ray was a member of the Versailles Baptist Church, Versailles American Legion, 40 & 8, the NRA, and the NMLRA. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 4 at 11am at the Versailles Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Cantrell officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at the Cliff Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4pm to 7pm at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles and from 10am until time of services Wednesday at the church. The Versailles Lions club will conduct memorial services Tuesday at 7pm at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Cliff Hill Cemetery in care of the funeral home.