Herman Sanford

Mr. Herman Sanford, age 87 of Berry, passed away Sunday, July 7, 2024 at his residence.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 11-A.M. from Phillips Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery. The body will lie in state Wednesday from 10-11 A.M. at the church. Bro. Terrell Jones and Bro. Terry Joe Oswalt will officiate.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Thomas Jefferson and Laudie Watson Sanford, siblings: Leslie Sanford, Dorothy Walton, Roy Sanford, Raymond Sanford, Charles Sanford, Melba Dunn, and John Edward Sanford, and a great-grandson: Brayden Smith.

Survivors include his wife: Jo Ann Sanford, son: Stanley Sanford, daughter: Tina Smith (Mike), brother: Doyle Sanford (Barbara), sister: Loyal Aultman (Charlie), nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Herman left a large legacy. It was a life of dedication to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. At 19 he married Jo Ann after first seeing her at his church singing with her sister Kathleen. They were married for almost 68 years. He loved to hunt and fish but never put those things above serving God and church. He began serving as a deacon at Phillips Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in his late 20's. He always took his vacation week during revival so he could attend morning services. In his late 30's he started his own logging business which also provided a way to impact many people for the Lord including his crew. God blessed Herman and his business which allowed him to be a blessing to many others as well. He would often tell us to look at his hands that were so twisted by arthritis but they truly spoke volumes about his life. He was a man who wasn't afraid of hard work, (pushing a plow, swinging an axe, running a saw or loader, ect.). But God looks on the heart and that is why he heard the words "Well done my good and faithful servant" Sunday morning as he left his earthly home for his eternal home. 

Honorary pallbearers are: Ray Watkins, Robert Smith, Glen Bigham, and Bill Rice.

Active pallbearers will be his grandsons: Jarod Milligan, Luke Sanford, Clancy Brown, Jordon Smith, Preston Smith, and John Tanner.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations to Freewill Baptist Children's Home, Eldridge, AL at Fbwhome.org.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Herman Sanford, please visit our floral store.