Mike Sanders

Mike Sanders, of Stone Mountain, Georgia passed away on Sunday August 6, 2023 at Emory Decatur Hospital following prolonged illness. Mike was born on October 27, 1945 at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia along with his twin brother Cole Sanders to parents Coleman and Nell. The twins were born prematurely slightly over 2 lbs each, and were not expected to survive along with Mrs. Sanders. Mike grew up in the city of Decatur where he attended Fifth Avenue Elementary and graduated from Decatur High School in 1964. Mike was a member of the ROTC throughout High School,then immediately joined the Navy following graduation. His service include tours on both the U.S.S. Shangri La and U.S.S Enterprise, followed by several years in the Navy Reserve. On June 15, 1968 Mike married his sweetheart Rebecca (Becky) Elaine Guess, daughter of Marion Sr and Dorothy Guess. Mike and Becky were married in the Stone Mountain First United Methodist Church, where they would remain active members. Mike and Becky started their family with the adoption of April Marie Sanders, followed by the adoption of Rebecca (Dee) Donelle Sanders. Mike spent most of his career as a Plant Manager for Vi-Mac, a Texcao distributor. He was a member and one time president of the Stone Mountain Lions Club, and also a member of the Stone Mountain Historic Society. Mike loved fishing and would take annual fishing trips with his brother and friends. He was however a craftsman in stained glass and his work can be found in many homes around Stone Mountain and with multiple pieces in his beloved Stone Mountain First Methodist Church. Mike is survived by his wife Rebecca (Becky) Guess Sanders, daughters April Sanders Fleming and Rebecca (Dee) Sanders Croke, and grandchildren Alice Kingsley Croke, Andrew Harrison Croke, Tatum Jane Fleming and William Michael Fleming who all reside in Stone Mountain, GA. Living in Decatur are Mike’s nephews Michael Sanders with his wife Robin, daughters Eliza and Greer, along with Mark Sanders and his sons Cole and Mason. Mike is preceded in death by his father Coleman Sanders, mother Nellie Lou Snyder, brother Cole Sanders, in-laws William Marion Guess, Sr. and Dorothy Williams Guess, son-in-law David William Fleming and son-in-law Kevin Michael Croke. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Stone Mountain First United Methodist Church https://www.stonemountainfirst.org/ or the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.