Joe “Steve” Sanders

Joe “Steve” Sanders, 80, of Beaumont, Texas, died Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont. He was born October 1, 1941, to Dorothy Woodham Sanders and Joe Sanders.

He is survived by his wife, Ella Sanders of Beaumont; daughter, Sheri Sanders Givens and her husband, Kevin, of Sudbury, Massachusetts; sister, Suzanne Gentry of Garland; grandchildren, Stephanie Sanders Gallo and her husband, Valentino of Vidor; Joe Sanders of Buna; Shawn Sanders of Buna; Grayson Givens of Sudbury, Massachusetts; and Fallon Givens of Sudbury, Massachusetts.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Dorothy Sanders and his son, Stephen Sanders.

Born and raised in Beaumont, Texas, Steve graduated from Beaumont High School in 1960. He attended classes at Lamar University. He worked with his father, Joe, succeeding him as president of H.H. Sanders & Sons, a roofing and sheet metal company originally established in Bastrop, Louisiana in 1870. The company later moved to Houston and eventually established roots in Beaumont in 1898. He retired and closed the business in 2001. 

Steve was an avid hunter and fisher. He enjoyed fall weekends with family and friends hunting deer in Colmesneil and dove in Beaumont. In the spring and summer, he could be found fishing at Toledo Bend or Sabine Pass. 

Steve married his wife, Ella, in 1966, recently celebrating their 56th anniversary. Together, they enjoyed family trips to Hawaii, Mexico, and Las Vegas. They loved going to Louisiana for crawfish, concerts, and casinos. And, he frequently bragged about his two children and five grandchildren.

A gathering of Mr. Sanders’ family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 18, 2022, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, 2291 Pine Street, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601 or to the Epilepsy Foundation, Attn: Donor Services, Epilepsy Foundation, 3540 Crain Highway Suite 675, Bowie, Maryland 20716.