Sanders Whaley

Sanders Marvin Whaley, 85, of Cleveland, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2023. Sanders was born on February 9, 1938, in Bradley County to the late Rufus and Hazel Whaley. He was a lifelong member of Big Springs United Methodists Church.

Sanders was also a member of the Honeybee Association, the American Rabbit Breeding Association, the DeMolay International, the Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rites, Sons of the Revolution, and Sons of the American Revolution. Among his different career paths Sanders is most well known for being the owner of Whaley Construction, where he played a key role in much of the construction in Cleveland. He was also known by many as "Papaw" and made a perfect Santa.

Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Rufus Sanders Whaley II; his daughter, Rebecca Sharlene Thurman; and his wife, Rebecca Hix Whaley.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his daughter in law, Karen Denise Whaley (James Blanks); brother, David Lindsey Whaley (Maxine); and his grandchildren, Rufus Sanders Whaley III (Ashley), Cassandra Sue Young (Wade), Brinn Shultz, and Sarah Thurman; along with several great grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 7:00 pm at Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland with James Blanks officiating. The family will be receiving friends from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm prior to the service.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Sanders or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.