Oneal Sanders

O’Neal Sanders was born in Evergreen, Alabama on May 28, 1922. He was blessed to be the eldest son born to the extended union of John and Roxie Lee Sanders. The family later moved to Jefferson County where O’Neal graduated from Westfield High School in 1939. After serving six years in the United States Navy on several vessels, most notably, the U.S.S. Grant and the U.S.S. Indianapolis, O’Neal settled in Chicago, IL and married Delois Jackson in 1947. He departed this earthly realm on Friday, November 1, 2019.

Always looking for an adventure, O’Neal was an  inventor and lover of learning new things. He was a great admirer of the arts and in his youth, he was proficient in both Tap and Jazz dancing. As a self-taught musician, he enjoyed playing the piano and guitar. 

O’Neal’s career in the trucking industry motivated him to invent and copyright “The Ram Jam,” a device to prevent trucks from jack-knifing. His thirst for learning led him to the community college system where he took paralegal courses, as well as classes in business and journalism. His desire to learn resulted in his graduation from the LEAP Program at Oakwood University in May 2000 at the age of 77.  In retirement, O’Neal enjoyed being a member of the Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society, gardening, playing his guitar and attending West Mastin Lake Baptist Church. A high point of his life as a World War II Veteran was being a part of an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial.

He was preceded in death by his wives Delois Jackson Sanders and Fannie Mae Sanders; a devoted  companion, Era Warren; a very special nephew, Sydney Jackson; 8 brothers- John, Bart, Felix, Bozell, Robert, George, Otis and Jim;  6 sisters – Adelia Smith, Rose Pierce, Edna Smith, Mildred Gillam, Eura Bell Jones and Delores Mitchell.

Survivors who will cherish fond memories of O’Neal include his niece and caregiver, Angela (LtC. Ret, W. G.) Storey; sister: Alma (Rev. C.E.) Sims; brother: Clarence (Lucille) Sanders; a very special great niece, Faye Groom; extended family, Aaron Morris (Chicago, IL) and LaFragia Jackson (Columbia, MD); plus, a host of relatives and friends.