Charles Sanders

Charles Sanders Sr. was born at General Hospital in Indianapolis, IN on June 13th, 1945. He was the first-born son to Reverend Charles Albert Early (father) and Ms. Alberta Sanders (mother). As a child he attended Public School #4 until second grade, then he moved to the east side of Indianapolis and began attending John Hope School #26. While there, he was involved in many sports and extracurricular activities, including playing basketball on the basketball team.

As a young man in the early 1960s, Charles liked to look good and wear nice clothes, so he took a job making 75 cents an hour washing dishes in a local restaurant. During his entire time as a student at Arsenal Technical High School he worked in various restaurants until he graduated. Consequently, he developed both an impeccable taste in clothes and a fierce work ethic that would follow him throughout the years.

After graduating from high school his strong work ethic led him to a company named Wash Rite. He worked there for several years as a factory worker, learning the ins and outs of operations. This experience helped develop his love for manufacturing and production. In 1965, Charles took the knowledge he gained to Chrysler Corporation where he was hired as a labor worker on the automobile production line. With hard work he began to gain seniority and a higher position.

Later that year, in October 1965, Charles was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Knox, KY. While serving, he met and befriended Maurice Holloway. Charles and Maurice would become close friends and military brothers creating a bond which continued for decades! Eventually after serving, Charles was honorably released from military duty. He promptly returned to Chrysler.

In November 1977 Charles attended Indiana Vocational Technical College earning his Associates Degree in Industrial Management Technology. Chrysler would eventually become an important part of his life. He drove Chrysler made cars and strongly suggested everyone else did. For forty years and four months he worked in the Chrysler plant, developing friendships and relationships that would last his entire life. In November of 2005, Charles retired from Chrysler.

After retirement Charles stayed active, constantly traveling to carefully chosen locations (once he even talked seriously about getting a retirement home in Canada) however, he changed his mind because the distance would be too far from their families. Charles loved life and always kept busy; thus, he joined the Eastside Reunion Committee where he served as an active member which brought in revenue and focused on the community. Charles was also a member of the American Legion and actively participated in the John Hope School #26 Alumni Committee.

We can’t forget his love for bowling!! He was a member of several bowling leagues consistently throughout the years! Bowling was especially important to Charles (he has bowling balls in almost every room in the house, garage, and car)! He would often work the rest of his schedule around his “bowling” days!

In 1985, Charles met the love of his life Eva Lee. The two were companions, partners, and best friends. He also became a beloved and respected father figure to Eva’s six children. Charles and Eva loved doing things together, especially going on cruises and traveling all over the country. Together for 38 years, they weathered all the storms that life threw their way, hand-in-hand. Charles’s love will be forever cherished by his four children, Bridgette Sanders, Anthony Sanders, Charles Sanders Jr., Joseph Dulin and his six bonus children, Joseph C. Lee Jr., Tuanita Lee (deceased), Viva Lee-Shaw, Oscar Lee, Cherise Lee, and Deonna Lee. He leaves to cherish his sister, Wile "Sue" Sanders, grandchildren and a host of family members and friends.

A visitation for Charles will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, followed by a Celebration of Life at 12:00 PM.