Wilburn Melton Sanders, Sr., age 91, passed away on September 28, 2016 at his residence. He was born in Charleston, SC to the Rev. Dr. Marion Andrew and Mrs. Ona Belle Melton Sanders on October 30, 1924. He attended elementary school at the St. James Parochial School, James Island, SC, Immaculate Conception School, Charleston, SC, Brainerd Institute in Chester SC, Mary Potter, Oxford NC and graduated high school from Coulter Academy, Cheraw, SC.

He served three years in the US Army and was honorably discharged. He received the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte NC and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary. Wilburn joined the RHO Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and continued as a member of the Pi Phi Chapter in Charlotte. He worked for the United States Postal Service in Charlotte for 33 years. Wilburn served as supply minister for Covenant Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis NC, served as pastor of New Hampton Presbyterian Church in Charlotte NC for 4 1/2 years and served as pastor of Statesvi l le Avenue Presbyterian Church (U.s.A.) in Charlotte for 21 years where he retired in 1996.

Rev. Sanders was a member of the Catawba Presbytery where he served on several committees and served as Chairman of the Trustees and Moderator. He retired as a member of the Charlotte Presbytery where he served as a member of the committee on Ministry and as a Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) witnessing the union of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. and the United Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

As Wilburn, he was one of thirteen charter members of Statesville Avenue United Presbyterian Church. As Rev. Sanders he organized the Loaves & Fishes program at Statesville Avenue Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.).

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Mildred Fredricka Washington Sanders.

He is survived by his children, Wilburn Melton Sanders, Jr., Frederick Gerard Sanders (LaVerne), and Belle Anita Sanders Dunn (Billy); eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, four nephews, five nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Statesville Avenue Presbyterian (U.S.A.). Omega Memorial will begin at 10:00 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. family visitation until time of service.  Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Garden.  Memorials may be mad to Loaves and Fishes pantry at Statesville Avenue Presbyterian (U.S.A.), 3435 Nevin Road, Charlotte, NC  28269.