In the 17 years of his episcopate, Bishop Sanders placed great emphasis on the Christian call to servant ministry. He inspired his diocese of 75 churches to open soup kitchens, to initiate programs for at-risk youth and to reach out to migrant workers. Among his greatest achievements is the diocesan work with Hispanic workers in eastern North Carolina.

Bishop Sanders was a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Episcopal Theological School. He was ordained deacon in 1955 and priest in 1956, and began his ordained ministry being in charge of St. James' Church, Union City, Tenn., from 1955 to 1958. He was rector of Good Shepherd, Fountain City, Tenn., 1958-61; rector of Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach, Va., 1961-70; chaplain and associate dean for student affairs at Virginia Theological Seminary, 1970-75, and dean of St. Andrew's Cathedral, Jackson, Miss., 1975-79.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, his children, the Rev. Richard E. Sanders, of Nashville, Robert W. Sanders, of Nags Head, N.C., and Lynne Sanders McFarland, of Nashville, six grandchildren, and a brother, the Rt. Rev. William E. Sanders, of Knoxville, Tenn.