A great share of the knowledge of how to win conservative Republican campaigns was lost this weekend.
Joey Sanders, 65, passed away peacefully at his Vestavia Hills home Sunday evening following a battle with cancer.
Sanders was a native of Greenville, Alabama, and a 1983 graduate of the University of Alabama, Roll Tide, where he earned a B.A. in the School of Communication. That degree was the foundation of Sanders’ life work.
While a student at Alabama, Joey was active in College Republicans.
After college, Joey worked for former Congressman Albert Lee Smith during his 1984 U.S. Senate campaign. He then served on the staff of U.S. Senator Jeremiah Denton. He also worked in county government in Jefferson and Shelby counties.
Joey continued his involvement with Republican Party politics, serving as vice chair of the Young Republican National Federation, along with Chairwoman Enid Greene.
Joey was the longtime owner of Master Image, a political consulting and graphic design business. Over 30 years, Joey was involved with numerous campaigns at the local, state and federal levels.
Joey served on the Jefferson County Republican Party Executive Committee and the State Executive Committee for the Alabama Republican Party.
Joey Sanders was a mainstay of the Birmingham Irish Cultural Society. The group raises tens of thousands for Kid One Transport and preserves Birmingham’s strong Irish heritage. The group’s annual Irish Cultural Dinner is known as “the most political non-political event.”
Joey’s father, Joe Sanders Sr., served as sheriff of Butler County, Joey’s home county. Joey is survived by his wife, Luanne, a son, Holton (Mary Coston), a daughter, Anne Heaton, two granddaughters, and a sister, Linda (Freddy).
Sanders’ death was announced on social media by his longtime friend, former state Rep. Jack Williams, now an official of Alabama Public Television. Williams posted a moving testimony to Sanders’ life:
Williams’ posting of Sanders’ death sparked an avalanche of comments from friends and political allies.
In one way, Joey Sanders was like Elvis or Dolly — he was known by one name. When you say “Joey” in Alabama Republican circles or in the Irish community, people instantly know who you are talking about.
The funeral for Sanders will be on Thursday, September 3 at 1:30 p.m. at Mountain Top Church, 225 Crestview Drive, Vestavia Hills.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler is a freelance writer about the colorful and positive in Alabama — her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former state auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
