MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jordan, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Barnett, Frazier, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF LONGTIME GREENWOOD ATTORNEY AND FORMER LEFLORE COUNTY SUPERVISOR ALIX SANDERS.
WHEREAS, we join the citizens of Greenwood and Leflore County in mourning the passing of Alix Sanders, a longtime Greenwood Attorney, former Leflore County Supervisor, a man of many firsts, and a trailblazer in the community, who passed away on March 16, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sanders was the first African-American to practice law in Leflore County, the first African-American Leflore County Supervisor, and the first African-American President of the Leflore County Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sanders, a Greenwood native, began his collegiate years at Jackson State University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in History and Political Science in 1966. After graduation, he attended the University of Mississippi Law School, where he was honored in August 2017 as one of the first African-Americans to complete his schooling there from start to finish. Mr. Sanders has said he pursued a law degree out of a desire to bring about change; and
WHEREAS, after graduation in 1969, Mr. Sanders was named a Reginald Heber Smith Community Lawyer Fellow and received additional law training at the University of Pennsylvania. He worked for the North Mississippi Rural Legal Services (NMRLS), an organization that has provided representation to many civil rights protesters and activists and serves underprivileged clients; and
WHEREAS, after an internship with a Washington, D.C., law firm, he returned to Greenwood in the 1970s. He accepted a position with the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Law and served as Director of North Mississippi Rural Legal Services; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sanders was also active in the political arena. In 1975, he ran unsuccessfully for Leflore County Supervisor but did not give up. Mr. Sanders then ran in the 1979 Supervisor Campaign, which he won. He served on the board for 20 years, including periods as its Vice President and President, and also was once President of the Mississippi Association of Black Supervisors; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sanders and the other supervisors completed a number of projects, including upgrading roads and overseeing the construction of the Leflore County Civic Center. Mr. Sanders also helped with projects in the Rising Sun Community, such as building a park; and
WHEREAS, during his legal career, Mr. Sanders provided legal counsel to Greenwood, Holmes County and North Panola School Boards, served as Hearing Officer for school boards in cases that involved adverse actions against employees, and served as a Greenwood Municipal Judge, Tchula Municipal Judge, Leflore County Youth Prosecutor, and Hearing Officer for the State of Mississippi Personnel Board; and
WHEREAS, he was active in Turner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 2009, he received the Commonwealth's Community Service Award; and
WHEREAS, although he was well-known for his accomplishments and public service, he was a family man first. The couple, who began dating in high school, celebrated their 50th Anniversary in June 2017. They have three children: Neysha Sanders, Neeka Sanders Johnson and Alix H. Sanders, Jr.; and three grandchildren: LeBron, Conner and Taylor; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sanders' wife, Betty, a former Circuit Judge, called him "undoubtedly the Captain of our ship. He was an inspiring leader, a conqueror in the face of adversity, a man of many firsts, a man of uncompromised faith, unyielding strength, endless wit and immeasurable generosity"; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sanders leaves a lasting legacy not only in his home community but throughout all Mississippi. His passion for helping build community in the Mississippi Delta was unlike any other. He will truly be missed:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the condolences of the Mississippi Legislature to the bereaved family of longtime Greenwood Attorney and former Leflore County Supervisor Alix Sanders.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Mr. Sanders, forwarded to the Leflore County Board of Supervisors and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.