MCPO Roscoe Thomas Sanders

Retired Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) Roscoe T. Sanders, 81, entered eternity with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 14, 2026, after a lifetime of service, sacrifice, faith, and devotion to his family and country. Master Chief Sanders answered his final call to duty and reported to his eternal home.

Roscoe was born June 24, 1945, in North Little Rock, Arkansas, to the late Roscoe Thomas and Doris Hodge Sanders and was lovingly raised by James and Lula Baker. At an early age, he confessed his faith in Christ and was baptized at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church on April 20, 1958.

A 1963 graduate of Scipio A. Jones High School, Roscoe joined the United States Navy in March 1965 at age 19. During his distinguished military career, he served in combat operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and aboard several commands, including USS Hancock (CVA-19), USS Tutuila (ARG-4), USS Douglas (PG-100), USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63), USS Enterprise (CVN-65), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). He rose to the Navy’s highest enlisted rank, Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9), before retiring on August 31, 1991, after more than 26 years of honorable service.

Following his military career, Roscoe continued his education, graduating from Philander Smith College in 1998 and earning a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2018. He later graduated from Stratford Career Institute while pursuing his goal of becoming a licensed funeral director.

He was preceded in death by his parents; foster parents; Marilyn D. Blanton Sanders, with whom he shared a union blessed with three children; and siblings Rev. Benny Don Robinson, Calvin “Skeet” Sanders, Alfred Charles “Pete” Sanders, Patricia Gale Smith, Margaret Ann Thomas, Delores Thomas-Nelson, and James Roland Thomas.

He leaves to cherish his memory his only daughter, Dr. Rosilyn T. Sanders; four sons, Rev. Darryel T. Sanders, Sander Lucban (Beverly), Karl E. Sanders (Kimberly), and Adrian T. Sanders (Dr. Kimberly); 20 grandchildren; three great-grandsons; one great-granddaughter; surviving siblings Veda Maxwell, Gaye Sanders, Kaye Sanders-Coleman, and Eddie Sanders; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Master Chief Sanders has completed his final watch. With the highest military honors and in keeping with maritime tradition, we bid him farewell: “Fair winds and following seas, Retired Master Chief.” His service is complete, his legacy is secure, and his memory will remain forever in the hearts of all who loved him. 
Visitation will be Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Superior Funeral Home, 5017 E. Broadway St., North Little Rock, Arkansas 72117. Viewing and walk-through will be from 1:00–4:00 p.m., followed by the wake from 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Homegoing services will be Thursday, September 24, 2026, at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, 8205 Highway 161, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72117. Public viewing will be from 9:00–10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.

Flowers, cards, condolences, and other expressions of sympathy may be sent to Superior Funeral Home.