LEON WALTER SANDERS
passed on May 15, 2023 at the Hospice Home Care Comfort Center in Little Rock, Ark. He was born on February 2, 1936 in Memphis, Tenn., the son of Opal Grace (Moore) Sanders and Walter Thomas Sanders. Leon was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eugene Sanders (Bernice surviving); his sister-in-law, Patricia A. Amburn; his mother-in-law, Hilton
M. Dugger and father-in-law, Sherell J. Dugger. He is survived by the love of his life, Shirley M. Dugger; and her brother, Gary S. Dugger; and brother-in-law, Michael T. Amburn and their children and grandchildren; his brother, Winson C. Sanders (Wanna); his daughter, Cynthia Fruehauf Parker (Paul); and son, Michael W. Sanders; and their mother, Beverly (Williams) Campbell; four grandchildren: Benjamin F. Fruehauf IV (Claire), Cheyenne Sanders Tarkington (Chris), Caroline Fruehauf Saunier (Blake) and Noah S. Sanders (Chloe); and three great-grandchildren: Aria, Finn, and Margot.
A graduate of Hot Springs High School, Henderson State College, and the University of Arkansas, where he earned his Masters in Social Work. Leon dedicated his life to serving others. He was a member of the Arkansas National Guard radio relay squadron for several years. He started his career at the United Methodist Children’s Home in Little Rock in 1963. He continued his career of helping others at Elizabeth Mitchell Children’s Center (now the Centers for Youth and Families). Leon then returned to Methodist Children’s Home. Through his years there he experienced their expansion to a full continuum of care (Methodist Family Health) retiring from there in 2009.
The joy, love and care from his ‘pal for life’, Tiffani, and her associate, Lamonica (Why Wonder Home Health Care), helped Leon live the best case scenario during the last nine months. Hospice Home Care provided care and support for Leon and Shirley starting in May, 2022. While Leon was at home, Hallie and other associates made weekly visits as well as unscheduled on-call visits as needed. This was instrumental in understanding his debilitating illness(s) and helping him continue the best quality of life as long as possible. The loving and supportive 24-hour staff at the Hospice Home Care Comfort Center assumed this role at the end of December. The family extends special thanks to all who helped Leon and Shirley in so many ways over the last two years. Leon was an incredibly good man filled with loving, accepting, caring and forgiving ways whose beautiful smile and wit will forever be in our hearts. Rest in peace, Leon. Your legacy will continue through the countless lives you touched. For those who wish to sign the on-line registry, please visit www.smithfamilycares.com. For those wanting to make a gift in his memory, Methodist Family Health would be a good choice.