Obituary

Robert “Bobby” William Sanders

March 22, 1946 - November 25, 2025

Robert “Bobby” Sanders, 79 years old, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, with his family at his bedside.  Bobby was born in Monticello, Mississippi and moved to Bogalusa at the age of two.

His first job was stock boy at Sharp’s Grocery and later, became a butcher.  He graduated from Bogalusa High School in 1964.  Then joined the U.S. Army in 1965 and served three tours in Viet Nam as a helicopter door gunner and later joined a Recon group.  He served 10 years in the Army and came home to marry the love of his life in September of 1973.  He went to Trade School for 2 years and became a draftsman.  He then decided to re-enlist in the Army and after seeing the world, he retired in 1988 with a total of 20 years of service.  After that, he worked at the Washington Parish Correctional Facility as the Warehouse supervisor until his retirement in 2006.  He was a Master Mason and member of the Alexandria Masonic Lodge # 208 in Alexandria, AL.  He was a member of Mt Pleasant Baptist Church.  

Bobby was a wonderful son, husband, father, and grandfather whose love for his family was his legacy.  He will always be remembered for his great cooking, hard work, and compassionate spirit.  Most of all, family and friends cherished the chocolate and peanut fudge he made every Christmas.  He was also known for making the best chili in the world and sharing it with everyone.  Bobby was a man of few words, but he said what he meant, and he meant what he said.

Bobby is survived by his wife of 52 years and childhood sweetheart, Judy Dodds Sanders.  He was the father of Shawn Sanders of Robert, and Shari Sanders of Denham Springs.  He was Popa for Mason Sanders and Carson Pigott of Bogalusa and Weston Pigott of Denham Springs.  Bobby is survived by his brothers, Bill (Trish) Sanders, Roger Sanders, and Michael (Diane) Sanders all of Bogalusa, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur Ray “Jack” and Joyce Hall Sanders, his sister, Peggy Varnado, and his niece Terrie Varnado.  His in-laws Philip Dodds and Elva Foil Dodds.

To celebrate his life there will be a visitation in the chapel of Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 12 noon until funeral service at 2 pm.  Pastor Jeff Howard will be officiating the service and interment will follow at Ponemah Cemetery.