Riley 1971 Bennie C Sanders

Oct. 6, 1953 - April 15, 2016

SOUTH BEND - Bennie Curtis Sanders, 62, of South Albert Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, returned home to the Lord on Friday, April 15, 2016, at 2:00 a.m., in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Indiana.

Bennie Sanders, also known as “Big Ben,” was born to the union of Charlie Mae and James T. Sanders on October 6, 1953, in Ashburn, Georgia. In 1955 he moved to South Bend, Indiana, with his parents, who preceded him in death. In 1971 Bennie completed his 12th grade education at Riley High School, and was also a member of the Black Panther movement. On July 5, 1975, he married the love of his life, Doris Jean Love-Sanders, whom he lovingly cared for until her death in January 2009. Bennie enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends, in addition to cooking, grilling, music, dancing, baseball and boxing.

He leaves to cherish his memory three sons, Bennie C. Sanders Jr., Antwain Sanders and Cenica Sanders, all of South Bend, Indiana; four daughters, Vanessa (Tony) Nukes, Lansing, Michigan, Dermisha (Dino) Sanders, Houston, Texas, Markitta Sanders and Lakisha Sanders, South Bend, Indiana; two brothers, James Sanders, South Bend, Indiana, and Jerome (Salley) Sanders, Fort Wayne, Indiana; six sisters, Helen (David) Sanders, Memphis, Tennessee, Unita Sanders, Jacqueline (Tim) Ottbridge, Angela Henderson, Rena Donaldson, and Liz Vinson; five brothers-in-law, Bernard (Carla) Love, Barnard Love, Clarence Love, Chris Love and Duria (Annette) Love, all from South Bend, Indiana; one sister-in-law, Leola (Tommy) Melton, Detroit, Michigan; 11 grandchildren, La`Tre Sanders, Nathaniel Sanders, Trace Nukes, Saria Terrell, Angel Terrell, Cenisha Sanders, Antwain Sanders Jr., Noah Sanders, Aaron Sanders, Darriius Wright and Majic Murphy; most of all, a host of nieces, nephews, and special friends.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers, William E. Sanders and Gregory A. Sanders; one sister, Sheila A. Donaldson; stepfather, Leroy Donaldson; six uncles, Joe Burgess, Isaiah Burgess, Butler Burgess Sr., Frank Burgess, King Burgess, and Charlie Corbitt Jr.; five aunts, Ethel (Tom) Taylor, Elizabeth (Neil) Hester, Many Corbitt, Mini Shaw, and Geneva McClinlon; mother-in-law, Pearl Love; father-in-law, Jewel Love; sister-in-law, Ola Mae Ray; and one niece, Demetrius Anderson.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016, at Pentecostal Cathedral Church of God in Christ, with viewing from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to Alford's Mortuary. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?n=bennie-c-