Glenden Sanders

Funeral services for Gurvis Glenden Sanders, 81, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church Lufkin with Pastor Mark Newton officiating. Interment will follow in the Whitehouse Cemetery.

Glenden was born July 27, 1936 in Easterly, Texas to the late Carmen (Black) and Hollon Sanders, and died Saturday, March 24, 2018.

Glenden grew up in LaMarque, Texas where he met his future bride, Gwendolyn Praker, whose father was his youth baseball coach. In high school Glenden was in choir and band and played baseball.

Glenden went to Baylor University, majoring in Sacred Music, and Glenden and Gwynn married November 27, 1957 during his senior year.

Glenden served Baptist churches across Texas in Marlin, Hereford, Gainesville, Lufkin and Jasper working with music, education, youth and missions. During their time in Hereford, Lauren “Laurie” was born. During their time in Gainesville, Glenden earned a master’s degree from North Texas State University, and David and Leslie were born.

In 1968 the Sanders family moved to Lufkin. At First Baptist Church as Minister of Music and Youth, he took hundreds of youth on summer mission/choir trips to Utah, Oregon, Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana. Later with adults, he traveled on mission trips to Australia and Canada, as well as Colorado, New Mexico, Vermont and South Texas. While in Canada, Glenden saw a horse whisperer and was instrumental in bringing him to Lufkin. From that, Cross Timbers Cowboy Church was started. Glenden also worked to help start New Beginnings Baptist Church and La Casa del Alfarero in Lufkin.

Glenden sang the lead in several oratorios, including Mendelssohn’s Elijah , and Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Christ , as well as participated in community theater, playing Dox Quixote in Man of La Mancha , Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof , and Michael in I Do! I Do! Glenden and Gwynn were members of the Lufkin Sam’s travel club and enjoyed many trips traveling with their trailer. Glenden also enjoyed woodworking and construction.

Glenden was the first director of Love in the Name of Christ in Lufkin. He helped with disaster relief with the national Love INC after tornadoes devastated Moore, Oklahoma.

Glenden loved God, his family and church, and Baylor University. He impacted many lives through his life of ministry and service.

Survivors include his wife, Gwynn Sanders of Lufkin; children, Laurie Hefner and husband Robby, David Sanders and wife Kathleen, Leslie Ashby and husband Wayne, all of Lufkin; grandchildren, Natalie Jansing and husband Trey, Katie, Rebekah and Russell Sanders, Alexandra, Hannah Jo and Tate Ashby; great-grandson, Aaron Jansing; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sheila and Richard Parker; nephew, Kelly Parker; uncles, Dial Black and Dallas Sanders; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, Jay Parker.

Pallbearers will be Michael Austin, Greg Dotson, David Hearne, Scott Presnall, Mike Richmond, Norman Thompson, Wade Corley, and Sam Huffstetler.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Lufkin Building Fund, Missions Fund, or Music Ministry, 106 E. Bremond Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75901, or to the charity of your choice.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday evening in the Parlor of First Baptist Church Lufkin.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.