Ralph Sanders Obituary

Ralph Talmadge Sanders, Jr., 83, of the New Hope Community, passed away Saturday morning in a North Charleston hospital. Born on September 8, 1942, in Summerville, SC, he was the son of Ralph T. Sanders, Sr., and Elizabeth Muckenfuss Sanders. Mr. Sanders was a graduate of Berkeley High School and earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Sanders dedicated his career as a Supervisor and Nuclear Engineer at the Charleston Naval Shipyard before retiring and running his own business, Sanders Lawncare. He was a devoted member of the New Hope Church - Summerville, where he served as the Chairman of the Finance Committee and the Treasurer of the Sunday School. His commitment extended to the Cypress Methodist Campground, where he was the Head Trustee, and he was a former member of the board of directors of Farm Bureau. Mr. Sanders was an avid Gamecock fan who enjoyed hunting, woodworking, and spending time in the mountains, particularly in Bryson City. He was preceded in death by his sister, Shelby Jean Sanders; his brother, Paul Henry Sanders; and his first wife, Betty West Sanders. He is survived by his loving wife, Marlene Clarkson Sanders; his daughter, Caroline Sherrill and her husband, Jeremy, of Goose Creek; his son, Brad Sanders of New Hope; his stepson, Frankie Wiggins, Jr., of Cottageville; his sisters-in-law, Judy S. Sanders of New Hope, and Andrea West of Cooper Store; his brothers-in-law, David Clarkson and his wife, Tina, of Mobile, AL, and Glenn Clarkson and his wife, Carol, of Murphy, NC; his grandchildren, Maddison S. Howell, Kaitlyn M. (Tyler) Neely, Daniel W. Howell, Stella D. Howell, Nathan R. Howell, Lauryl P. Sanders, and Graham C. Howell; his great grandchild, Colson B. Neely; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. His funeral will be 2:00 PM Wednesday afternoon, September 17, 2025, in the Chapel of Dial-Murray Funeral Home, Moncks Corner. Interment will follow in the New Hope Church Cemetery - Summerville. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:30 PM until the hour of service on Wednesday. The family suggests memorials be made to the New Hope Church - Summerville, 1253 Jedburg Rd., Summerville, SC 29486, or to the Cypress Methodist Campground, c/o Lori Singletary, 619 Mill Creek Rd., Ridgeville, SC 29472, in his memory. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Ralph T. Sanders, Jr., please click here to visit our sympathy store.