Tammy Sanderson, 76

Tamara “Tammy” L.  Sanderson, 76, of Carrollton, died peacefully Aug. 13, 2024, in Carroll Golden Age Retreat.

Born Sept. 5, 1947, in the family’s home in Carrollton, she was the youngest daughter of the late James Howard “Fats” and Evelyn H. Sanderson.

Tammy attended Carrollton High School, where she a proud member of the Warriors Marching Band, playing the base drum under the direction of the late Art Theil.

Following graduation in 1965 she attended Canton Business College and received a Junior Accounting degree.

She worked at General Electric Credit Corp. for nearly six years then spent 30 years working in government, first for the late Fred Hemming in the Carroll County Clerk of Courts office (May 1972-January 1981), and then with the Carroll County Department of Job and Family Services, including several years as supervisor of Employment Services for the JOBS unit. She retired Sept. 30, 2002, as supervisor of Eligibility Referral. Tammy also served on the Workforce Development Board for DJFS, also serving as chairman.

Growing up, she was active in the county 4-H horse program and where she learned the importance of giving back to the community.

When James P. Wiley and Dick Nicholson retired as advisors for one of the county’s 4-H horse clubs in1970, Tammy stepped forward and took over the reins, renaming the club “The Saddle Bums”. Through her efforts, many 4-H youth gained valuable knowledge of the equine species and excelled in the show ring.

Her one true love was the Tennessee Walking Horse. As a youngster growing up, she watched her father show horses and attended the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration yearly at Shelbyville, TN. She continued that tradition until her health would no longer allow her to travel. She was an active member of the Buckeye Walking Horse Association and served as an officer. She also managed Walking Horse shows throughout Ohio and in Kentucky.

Her community involvement led her to the American Cancer Society, where she was a member of the Carroll County Unit of the American Cancer Society Board, serving as president, and was deeply involved in Relay for Life.

The Carrollton Business Women named her Woman of the Year in 2005 and the American Red Cross selected her as the Red Cross Carroll County Community Service Hero in 2005.

One of her proudest accomplishments was being a founding member of Carroll County Caring Hands, a non-profit organization that assists Carroll County residents with expenses that arise from a medical diagnosis.

She was also a member of the Carroll Hills Industries Board and was a director for the Carroll County Humane Society. She served as secretary of the Carroll County Agricultural Society (fair board) for a period of time.

She is survived by nieces and caregivers, Robin Palmer and Carol McIntire; close friends Cheryl Wallace, Betty Gray and Deb Senko; brother Glenn Sanderson of Carrollton; and several nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews and a vast number of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Sally Morrow, Nancy Pyatt and Barbara Sanderson.

Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of her life, Saturday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. at The Bridge, a satellite campus of the Carrollton First United Methodist Church, located at the Carroll County Fairgrounds 170 Kensington Rd. NE Carrollton, Ohio 44615, officiated by Rev. Dr. Kimberly Arbaugh. Visitation will be held from noon until the time of services. 

Memorial contributions can made to Carroll County Caring Hands, P.O. Box 322, Carrollton, OH 44615.