Ricco La’Vance Sanders passed suddenly on Saturday, January 21, 2023. He is
survived by his mother; Sheryl D. Sanders and grandmother; Theodora C.
Sanders.
He was preceeded in death by sister; Zanniea S. Sanders, grandfather; Charlie
Sanders Jr., uncle; Wendell L. Sanders.
Ricco is survived by aunts and an uncle; Charlene A. Grant, Regenia F. Sanders, and
Rodney (Deborah) Sanders, first cousins; Reggie (Dawn) Jackson, Leshawna Pead,
Kanya Grant, Rev. Dorian Grant, De’Ontay and Izabella Sanders, Lisa (Tommy)
Mahoney, D’Lacey (Nicole) Stith, Lydia, Melita, and Abigail Sanders and a host of
other family and friends.
As was the tradition, his grandmother, Theodora gave him a nickname. She
called him “Nutter-Butter”, “Nutter” for short. He was her oldest grandchild, and
he always answered her with a smile. Remembering Ricco puts a smile on our
face because he loved to have fun and laugh. Not a weak laugh but a big laugh,
with a wide contagious smile. Ricco was also fiercely protective of family and
friends. He would react fast; once he ran out of the house to protect his cousin,
fell, and broke a tooth.
Ricco was gifted on the organ and piano. At age eleven, he played piano after a
young man who played Mozart. Ricco’s rendition of the “Boogie Woogie” brought
the house down. He loved both music and movies. In high school, a promising
football career was cut short by a leg injury. He was also a computer whiz with
skills so superior his manager found Ricco’s output was double any other
employee.
Leshawna remembers visits that would become impromptu cookouts and that
he never missed her son Isaiah’s college or pro football games. Kanya still hears
Ricco say -“Kan we got this”. Ricco taught young Theara to squat, hold a bat
that was taller than her and hit a baseball into the parking lot. The girls, Lydia,
Melita and Abigail recall marching and chanting, “Ric-co, Ric-co, Ric-co”; he would
join in, chanting and laughing.
Most importantly, Ricco knew Jesus. He had been a member of Greater Twelfth
Missionary Baptist Church and St John AME Church, attending Sunday School
and the Men’s Bible Study. He has left us, but we are sure Jesus took him home!
Ricco is loved and will be missed by us all.
Visitation 10:00 AM and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Friday, February 3, 2023 at Greater Twelfth Missionary Baptist Church, 1561 Cleophus Kee Blvd. Interment at Glen Rest Memorial Estates. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave.
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Dear Sanders family I am sending my condolence to you all I pray to God for your strength and my heart goes out to you all. The mother Sheryl my heart goes out to you…
Sheryl, my Sis, you already know! Words cannot express what my heart feels. Know that the Ricco is at rest. Stay encouraged and trust God every step of the way. I love you! ❤️
To Sheryl and the Sanders Family. You are all in my prayers. I’m truly heartbroken to hear of Ricco’s passing. He is a special guy and my friend. I will miss him.
Sheryl, my heart breaks in knowing of Ricco’s passing. Please know I love you, cousin and will continue to uplift you in my prayers.
Ricco has always had a special place in my heart. He was my little brother. He was my ride a long back in high school.
I remember I was driving my Dad’s Ford Pinto and we were on the highway; he clowned me and said “How come everyone else is passing us?” From that day on, we called it “tha tow.” I loved how he was a prankster.
Although I am sad of his passing; I reflect on his smile and sense of humor. Rest with our Angels up there!
R.I.P. Cousin!!! Sheryl, I’m praying for you and the family. Much love!!!!!
Cuz, my hearts just ache with you. I am so sorry for your loss, “Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, He is still in control. Love you much
To Sheryl, and the Sanders Family, My deepest Condolence goes out to you. I Love You, and I Love Ricco. Praying that God gives You All the Health, and Strength, that you need. Blessings, and Love, Pat Spencer
I was so shocked to hear of Ricco’s sudden passing. Even though I only worked with Ricco on the same team for a short period of time here at PNC, I knew of Ricco & his accomplishments on his previous team & I knew I wanted to know Ricco for myself & was glad to have him as a part of our team. He was a no nonsense person & very focused on the task at hand. He was a great teammate &, by reading his obituary, I can see he was a great man that I am glad I had the pleasure of getting to know. The Lord brings people in our lives for a reason & a season, & He did that for me with Ricco. My family, my church, & I are praying for comfort & strength for you & your family during this time of loss. In Jesus Name, AMEN. God Bless.
To Sheryl and the Sanders Family,
I am truly sorry for your loss. I have such wonderful memories of Ricco as do you so his spirit will be among us always. Your family is in my prayers.
To Sheryl and the Sanders Family,
I am truly sorry for your loss. Ricco was a friend that I have wonderful memories of as do you and for that I know he will always be with us. My prayers are with you.
Love Always,
Kim
To Sheryl and the Sanders Family..
My Prayers and Thoughts are with You All
in Your Time of Sorrow..My Heart ❤️ is Truly Hurt at Passing of Rico.. Much Love ❤️ to All..
Cheryl and all of my Sanders & Norris family members: please know that you have my prayers and condolences. Praying for God’s strength to be upon each of you!
Sheryl and the Sanders Family,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Ricco.
I have great memories growing up with him. His spirit and memories will always be with us. May God send his Holy Spirit to comfort you.
Love,
Stephen and Robin Wilson
To Sheryl, Aunt Theo and the entire Sanders Family. I am so sorry to hear of Ricco’s homegoing. I know it hurts now but know he is in the loving arms of our father and surrounding by those who have gone on before us and is safe with them. God bless you all and though I am not around you, I love you all and will keep you in my prayers.
Love to you all, always,
Tracy
Sheryl,
Praying that the Lord will hold you tight and bless you with peace in your heart
Ricco has his shoes and robe now, we WILL see him in heaven. I love you and you are not forgotten. ️️️
To Sheryl and the Sanders Family, my prayers and sincere condolences goes out to you all. May God continue to comfort you and uplift you. Please get in touch with me Sheryl when you feel up to it.
My heart is with the family. I just recently learned about Ricco’s passing and I’m at a loss for words. RWA Ricco. My God continue to uplift all of you by knowing he’s keeping everyone laughing in Heaven.