James “Cotton” Orvan Sanderson, 92, of Kearney, Missouri, was called home to eternal life and heaven on April 25, 2023.
James was born on June 21, 1930, in Union, Arkansas, to Auvy Christine (Payne) Sanderson and Jesse James Sanderson. He met his wife as she was auditioning for him with two of her sisters to be on radio in the 1950s. He had been working for K.W.P.M in West Plains, Missouri, since 1947. The three sisters performed on his broadcast, and he would go on to marry Faye. The Sanderson couple moved to the Kansas City, Missouri area around 1954 and were married on May 29, 1954. They enjoyed 66 years of love, friendship, and devotion to family. They were blessed with three children, Christene Sanderson-Banks on January 20, 1956, and James Gordie Sanderson and Tami Lori Sanderson-Smith on January 20, 1966.
James and Faye were the children of Arkansas sharecroppers and had moved to Kansas City to find opportunity and a better life for themselves and their family. They had a very rich and full life as parents and grandparents. In their spare time, they remained avid bluegrass-gospel musicians and singers, which included some time in local Kansas City radio and an album in 1968. James played not only the guitar, but also learned the fiddle, mandolin, and banjo by ear. The role he will most be remembered for is that of husband, father, and grandfather. He provided not only for his own children, but assisted his own aging mother and aided his wife with the care of her mother during her final years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse James Sanderson and Auvy (Payne) Sanderson; brother, Doan Joe Sanderson; loving wife, Thelma Faye Taylor-Sanderson; and granddaughter, Courtnie Banks.
James is survived by daughters, Christene Sanderson-Banks (Robert) and Tami Lori Sanderson-Smith; son, James Gordie Sanderson; grandchildren, Brandon Banks, Christopher Banks, Brittany Smith, Colton Smith, and McKenzie Smith; great grandchildren, Tayler Banks, Caleb Banks, Madison Banks, Emma Faye Banks, Gunner Banks, Isabelle Courtney Banks; as well as many in-laws, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
A visitation will be held Monday, May 1, 2023, from 12 to 1 p.m. with a funeral service to follow. James will be buried at New Hope Cemetery in Liberty, Missouri. A reception at Firehouse Community Center will be held following the services.
Our Sincere Condolences
I’m so sorry for the loss of Uncle Cotton. He will be missed.
Jordan Hellyer
Uncle Cotton has left us with alot of memories and he always made us laugh with his funny stories and jokes. He was a good and loving uncle. He will be missed.
Diane
So many fond memories….mostly of his joke playing and story telling. He was always up to something. Domino nights at grandma and grandpas. He will greatly be missed. Sending light, love and hugs to the family.
Kasey Hellyer
Uncle Cotton will be missed for his silly stories, jokes and music. He was a good, kind & sweet man and we will never forget him. As a very small girl I remember him coming to Grandma & Granddad Taylor’s to “court” my Aunt Fay. They would sit on a bed, in the brightly lit bedroom with Granddad watching every move, no one messed with his daughters! He & Aunt Fay had their much loved music to break any tension, both came from musical families. We loved the old time musicals on our grandparents front lawn and everyone for miles knew when these events took place. I treasure a fiddle that my Dad gave me because Uncle Cotton played it. “Listen to The Mocking Bird” was my favorite and he could really make that bird sing. I love you & will miss you and hope you and Aunt Fay are making your music once again – give her a hug from me.
Annita & Jerry Fulton
As a little girl some of my fondest memories were our family trips to Arkansas. Many times when we went there Aunt Faye and Uncle Cotton would try to come at the same time because they wanted to see Aunt Gay (my Mom) sometimes they couldn’t make the trip, they couldn’t afford it or their vehicle would break down but when they did come it seemed like they always had a load of instruments. We always looked forward to the “show”. I remember Uncle Cotton playing the banjo and the fiddle. He could really make it sing. Those were the good old days. Later years after Grandma and Grandpa had passed we’d go to Kansas City. I remember Uncle Cotton always watching the pink panther on TV …but always on mute so you could here anything. Same cartoons over and over and he laughed at the same jokes every single time. He’d pointed to the screen and say “ watch this”! I enjoyed watching him more than the cartoons. He was such a jokester too. You couldn’t leave there without him pulling a prank on you. Uncle Cotton was a one of a kind and I’m proud to call him my Uncle. I wish I could be there ! My heart goes out to you all but what a treasure chest of memories we all have. Love you Uncle Cotton. Gone but not forgotten.
Debbie (Hayes) Williams
Our love for our cousin will never be forgotten. He was one of a kind. Not only loved by many but a wonderful fiddle player and he loved everyone. You will be missed. Fly high Cotton with the Angels!
Love from your cousins,
Randy & Kaye Ferguson
Grandpa was my second father. We loved watching Looney Toons together and giving grandma a hard time. Most of all, he was a striking example of a human being, demonstrating what it means to be a good, hard-working person and father every single day of his life. When we lay him to rest beside Faye, my grandma, he will again be complete.
Brittany Smith
When Cotton and Faye came to my granny and gramps (Cecil and Mayzell Stuart’s) in Moko, AR, there was always lots of stories, they all rild of when they were kids and growing up, lots of jokes, pranks and lots and lots of music. Always was a blast. We will always remember those days.
Cotton was a fine man and will be missed by many in our family.
Praying for peace, comfort. And strength during tough this time.
In Jesus sweet name Amen.
Connie Pate
Uncle Cotton will be missed. He was always one of my favorites and definitely one of a kind. What I will remember most about him was his sense of humor. I always knew him as a sweet man, with a sweet soul and a twinkle in his eye. The way his shoulders bounced up and down when he laughed, how you never knew what he was going to say next but it would always make you laugh and for me personally how he forever teased me about my Strawberry Shortcake doll named Apricot. I don’t even remember how it all got started but it was a joke that lasted my entire life. One by one the aunts and uncles I looked forward to seeing every year as a child are slipping away and it breaks my heart. I am thankful for the years of happy memories and stories that I will carry with me always. The world was a better place with someone like my Uncle Cotton in it, bringing joy wherever he went. I will love and miss him always.
Cindy (Faubert) Hayes