Earl Lee Sanford passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025.  He was born on December 11, 1950 in Murfreesboro, North Carolina.

Earl is preceded in death by his parents, Earl P. Sanford and Christine Sanford, and his siblings, Carolyn M. Sanford and Linwood D. Sanford.

He will be deeply missed by his children, his daughter Denotria Hopson and son-in-law Burton Hopson Jr., and his son Earl A. Sanford ; his grandchildren, Daniel Leatherbury and Elexia Hopson; and his great-grandchildren, Zion Hardridge, Bella Hardridge, and Shiloh Hardridge.
He is also survived by his brothers, Arthur L. Sanford and James D. Sanford and his wife Darlene ; his sisters, Patricia Y. Thomas, Juanita S. Pettaway, and Tabitha A. Person and her husband David ; and a host of relatives and friends.

Services are private.