Ignatius Harris Sanders, Sr.

Ignatius Harris Sanders, Sr. passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026, at the age of 75, following complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was born on September 7, 1950, in Augusta, Georgia, to the late Marion Timothy Sanders, Sr. and Rosa Harris Sanders Creque.

Harris was educated in the Richmond County School System, attending Collins Elementary School, Davidson Junior High School, and T.W. Josey High School, where he graduated in 1968. During his time at Josey, he was an active and well-rounded student, participating in the band, playing basketball, and running track.

He began his collegiate journey at Morehouse College before transferring to Fort Valley State University on a full scholarship, where he was a member of the swim team. In 1972, he became a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., an affiliation he cherished deeply throughout his life. He took great pride in his fraternity and was especially fond of its signature color, purple.

That same year, Harris enlisted in the United States Navy. In 1973, he attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. His service took him to Washington, D.C., and Barbados—a place he grew to love dearly. He formed lasting friendships during his time there and often spoke fondly of those experiences. He concluded his military service at the rank of Lieutenant (O-3).

Following his service, Harris returned to Augusta and began a career in education with the Richmond County School System as a health and physical education teacher and coach. After earning his master’s degree from South Carolina State University, he transitioned to the Georgia Department of Corrections. He worked at the Augusta Diversion Center before becoming a unit manager at Augusta State Medical Prison. There, he founded the “People Who Care” program, which provided compassionate support to terminally ill inmates. Though innovative, the program was considered controversial at the time due to its focus on individuals suffering from AIDS, a topic that was often stigmatized and rarely addressed.

After retiring from the State of Georgia, Harris briefly returned to the Richmond County School System as a graduation coach. In 2005, he began his final professional chapter with the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Recreation Therapist, serving in that role until his full retirement in 2018.

Harris had a deep love for gardening and took immense pride in cultivating and propagating exotic and tropical plants—especially banana trees—which he generously shared with friends and family. He was also an enthusiastic amateur photographer who rarely went anywhere without his camera.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Victoria Nauful Sanders; his children, Nicole E. Jones of Santa Cruz, California, Rose E. Sanders, and Ignatius H. Sanders, Jr. (Nish); his grandsons, Tyler H. Hopkins and Andrew J. Hopkins; his great-grandson, Levi M. Moody-Hopkins; his brother, Marion Timothy Sanders, Jr. (Clarice); his nephews, Oliver G. Sanders, Latson E. Sanders, Hernando A. Gresham, and Darius P. Gresham; his nieces, Monique Williams and Janine Ferrel Dix; and a host of extended family members and loved ones.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, staff, and CNAs of the fifth floor at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home for the exceptional care, compassion, and dignity they provided.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Thomas Poteet and Son Funeral Directors with Timothy Lark, Chaplain of GA War Veterans Nursing Home officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com