JACKSON — Leon Sanders died Friday, Dec. 20, 2018, at his home in Jackson. He was 71.

He was a retired vice president of business and finance at Grambling State University, member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Delta Kappa Chapter, Alpha Iota Chapter Sigma Pi Phi Boyle’ Columbia, S.C. Chapter, former steward of Williams Chapel AME Church Orangeburg, S.C., a Kentucky Colonel, graduate of Alcorn State University with a B.S. degree, graduate of Texas Southern University with a master’s degree, a Ford Foundation Fellow, valedictorian of Carver High School and a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon Sylvester and Birtha Mae Bicom Sanders Sr.; and his wife, Juanita Sanders.

He is survived by his son, Leon Sanders III of New Orleans, La.; his daughter, Vicki Latrel Sanders-Johnson of Bellbrook, Ohio; his two brothers, Samuel Alvin Sanders of Gainesville, Fla., and Robert Sanders of Vicksburg; his sister, Evelyn Christine Hall of Killeen, Texas; four grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and others.

Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Emmanuel Baptist Church with pastor Dr. Jesse Horton Sr. officiating.

Visitation will be from noon until the funeral with Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity performing its ceremony at 1 p.m.

Interment shall be on 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, at Sweetwater Cemetery in Prentiss.