Talmadge Markus Sanders 17, of Opelika, Alabama died Saturday July 2, 2016. Funeral services will be held at 11AM Thursday July 7, 2016 at the Community Baptist Church in LaFayette with the Rev. Eric Hilyer, Rev. Debbie Moreland and Rev. Blain Turner officiating, with burial to follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Lanett, Alabama. Visitation will be held at the church Thursday from 10AM until 11AM prior to the service. Professional services provided by Jeff Jones Funeral Home of LaFayette, AL. www.jeffjonesfuneralhome.com

He was born in Lee County April 21, 1999, our Markus went to join his Father in Heaven July 2, 2016. His life was full of outdoor adventures including fishing, coon hunting, mud riding, boating, hog, deer and turkey hunting. Rabbit, squirrel, turkey, dove something was always on the grill or in the frying pan. His true love was fishing, I bet he has 20 fishing poles each baited up for different types of fish. He certainly knew how to keep the freezer full. It seemed if he cast the line there was always a fish on the other end when he reeled it up. He even taught a few old men some new fishing tricks. If there's fishing in heaven, he'll be fishing with is Dad Brandon and Pawpaw Gordon this afternoon. He attended Beauregard High School and Eastwood Christian School. He would tell me "Science and Math were okay". But he "Really wanted to get his fingers into whatever Mr. Jenkins had going on in his shop." At Eastwood he loved the Zip-Line and the Repelling. Even after the broken arm, you couldn't keep him off. Of all these things, he loved God, his family and his friends. He had a great big heart and truly cared. I think he touched a lot of people in his short life with his funny wit and his hard working get up and go personality. We were all so proud of him! He did so much for so many that I find id difficult to express how deeply we will all miss him.

He is survived by parents Paula-Belcher Sanders(Jimmy Wayne), Talmadge "Sonny" Sanders, Jr.(Debbra), Dane'lle Doster (Corey) sister-Samantha Belcher, brother-Cash Mueller, grandparents-Talmadge & Mary Sanders, Sr.,LaFayette, Al., Ann Marie Cornett-Breedlove, Mrs. Margaret Hobbs-Belcher, Janet Long-Cornett, Susan Deardorff all of Opelika, Al.,,and Dan Doster (Sheila) of North Carolina. Aunts & Uncles-Jimmie & Lamar Strong, Patricia & Mack Patterson, Ronnie & Dena Gable, Cathie & Rick Tasaday, Mike & Priscilla Belcher, Larry & Pat Belcher, Kathy Belcher, Sandy Milinski, Danny Cornett, Jimi Cornett, Sabrina Cornett & Ashley Dean. And a host of cousins, nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by Father Talmadge Brandon Sanders, & Grandfather Gordon Travis Belcher & Grandfather Donald Breedlove.