Dewey N. Sanders

December 15, 1941 - June 23, 2022

Obituary For Dewey N. Sanders

Dewey N. Sanders, age 80, of Raleigh, NC, passed away on June 23, 2022. He was the 11th of 13 children born to the late Willis Vance and Vernona Austin Sanders in Johnston County, NC on December 15, 1941.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bartlette, stepson Brison L. Folkes, his brothers, Wilbur A. Sanders, Willis V. Sanders, David A. Sanders, Raymond H. Sanders, John W. Sanders, and Donald M. Sanders and sister Judy L. Sanders. He is survived by two sons, Steven Todd (Alicia) Sanders of Clayton, NC, Kevin Scott (Kristie) Sanders of Tabor City, NC, stepdaughter Sloan F. (Jim) Knaffle and step grandchildren, Smith and Jay Knaffle of Murrells Inlet, SC. He is survived by brothers Robert E. Sanders of Raleigh, NC, Lewis D. (Gail) Sanders of Chapel Hill, NC and sisters Betty S. Smith of Raleigh, NC, Callie S. Sorrell of Apex, NC and M. Jane Johnson of Willow Springs, NC.

In 1960, Dewey graduated from Cleveland High School in Johnston County, NC and later from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Business Administration.

In 1964, he was employed in the Raleigh District Office of Froehling and Robertson, a testing laboratory, headquartered in Richmond, VA. In 1968, he was promoted to manage the Roanoke, VA district office. In 1970, he resigned from the company and moved his family back to Raleigh, NC and joined the North Carolina Department of Revenue as a Revenue Field Auditor. As a field auditor, he conducted audits of individuals, businesses and corporations, not only in North Carolina, but also those taxpayers outside the state that had tax responsibilities within the state.

In 1983, he was appointed to head a new division in the Revenue Department, the Criminal Investigation Division. As Director of that division, he was tasked with investigating criminal tax violations of state revenue laws and recommending prosecution to the DA’s office. In 1989, the General Assembly enacted legislation to authorize the Revenue Department to conduct a 90-day Tax Amnesty Program. As Director of the Criminal Division, he was appointed by the Secretary of Revenue to manage that program. After successfully managing this program, he continued directing the Criminal Division.

In 1997, he was appointed Assistant Secretary for Field Operations. In this position, he had oversight responsibility for the operation of the Examination, Collection, Motor Fuels and Unauthorized Substances Divisions and all field offices throughout North Carolina, constituting approximately half of the agency’s permanent workforce.

After 32 years of service, his retirement was celebrated at a gathering in the Rotunda of the State Capitol. Attending were state officials, including then-current Secretary of Revenue, Norris Tolson, former Secretary of State, Rufus Edmisten, former State Auditor, Ralph Campbell, Jr. and others. At this celebration, he was awarded the state’s highest civilian award, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Dewey was a Master Mason and a long-time member of William G. Hill No. 218 Lodge in Raleigh, NC.

Visitation will take place Wednesday, June 29, 2022 from 1-2 PM at Montlawn Funeral Home Chapel located at 2911 S. Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27603, with the service beginning at 2 PM. Entombment will follow afterwards at Montlawn Memorial Park and he will be placed next to his best friend and lovely wife Bartlette.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in honor of his late wife Bartlette by visiting: Alzheimer's Association.

Services

29 Jun

Visitation

01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

Montlawn Funeral Home 2911 S. Wilmington Street Raleigh, No 27603 Get Directions »

29 Jun

Funeral Service

02:00 PM

Montlawn Funeral Home 2911 S. Wilmington Street Raleigh, No 27603 Get Directions »

29 Jun

Entombment

03:00 PM

Montlawn Memorial Park 2911 South Wilmington Street raleigh, NC 27603 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

June 30, 2022

Rhonda Raynor
June 29, 2022

Leta Grey Williams

Sympathy for family. Dewey was a good-hearted and kind man who will be missed by many
June 29, 2022

jay godfrey

To the family, I am deeply saddened by the grief you are feeling. Knowing of God's love for you, continue to look to him when " he will wipe out all tears from our eyes, death, suffering, and pain will be no more. " - Revelation 21:3,4 He says death is an " enemy that will be brought to nothing. " - 1 Corinthians 15:26 How comforting to know that this will be a thing of the past and through Christ Jesus a resurrection for our loved ones. love, jrfdog@gmail.com
June 26, 2022

Carla Rogers
June 26, 2022

Faye Jenkins

I lived near the Sanders family when I was a young child. We road the same school bus & it took a while for all 13 to get on. My Mother was born in 1900 & lived on Sanders road before it was named. I later worked & retired from the Revenue Dept. & would cross paths with Dewey from time to time. Sending my condolences to the family.
June 26, 2022

Joe Trostel

I have had several good bosses in my life, and many wonderful friends so far, but none better than Dewey. I know he was widely loved and respected by so many he worked with, including me, both inside and outside of the NCDOR. He was a leader who often thanked his statewide staff (1/2 the Department, 500-600 at times) very publicly for "making him look good". With a great sense of humor, a keen intellect and a devotion to duty, he served North Carolina well! He both expected and was able to bring out the very best in so many of us. Thank you Dewey!!