PICAYUNE —
At the age of 96, Aubrey Sanders has had a lifetime of serving the community, making money and giving it away. He has no intentions of slowing down.
Sanders, who takes no medications and claims excellent health, says that a good breakfast, walk and love of shopping salvage stores gets him up early and out of his bed these days. He and Helen, his wife of 47 years, also enjoy giving to the community.
“We basically give away half of what we bring in each year. You know it sounds like a lot but you can’t out-give the good Lord,” said Sanders.
Born May 5th, 1916, in Jasper County, Sanders accepted Jesus as his Savior at the tender age of 7-years-old. He joined the Methodist church there and upon moving to Picayune, in 1927, joined First United Methodist Church in Picayune and has been a faithful congregation member since.
In 1935 he married Francis Sanders and had a son and daughter. Francis passed away in 1962 and three years later he married Helen Katherine. The couple now have five grandchildren and seven grandchildren.
Sanders worked for the Crosby Box Plant in the late 1930s, an experience that he feels we could learn a lesson from today.
“I’ve never seen the economy the way it is today. Back then, there was always a job to be had so you could support your family. When there wasn’t, the community pulled together to make jobs.
“The Crosby’s took a few dollars from everyone’s check to put toward building the garment factory in town. We were happy to give it because we knew fellow community members would have jobs and it would benefit the whole. The city never had to pay a dime towards that factory.”
He eventually went on to be employed at the garment factory his work dollars helped build in the 1940’s, before going on to entrepreneurial endeavors which were all based out of Picayune.
“I was an Assistant Scout Master with Martin Porter and Boy Scout Master for four years in which each year had an Eagle Scout from our Troop 2 First Methodist Church.
“I’ve served on the Plumbing Board and Public School Board at the time when the new Band Hall and Home Economics buildings were constructed. I also helped get the Vo-Tech Building constructed and I believe that has been a great asset to the community,” said Sanders.
Sanders has also been a member of the Picayune Noon Lions Club since 1972, where he has served as President and became the club’s first recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.
He is a member of Highland Community Hospital’s Highlander Club.
The Sanders have also given out numerous $500 college scholarships to local seniors each year.
“God has always been a very important part of my life all of these years and I have been truly blessed. I have always tried to be a good steward of what God has given me.
“Picayune has always been a great town with great people and a great place to live. When the time comes for me to leave this earthly home, I hope that people can say I was man that did what was right, who helped people when he could. I hope they say I was a giver and not a taker,” he said.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
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Above: Aubrey Sanders and his wife of 47 years, Helen, have given much to the community through donations and scholarships to local students. Jodi Marze
Aubrey Sanders has given a lifetime of service and charity to his community
Picayune Item's Super Senior
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