Edward Elmer Sanford

Edward Elmer Sanford, 80, of Statesville, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at his residence.

Ed was born January 7, 1946, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and was the son of the late Dewey H. Sanford Sr. and Grace Brickley Sanford. He was a 1964 graduate of Ludington High School and attended Allied Technical Institute in Chicago. He served in the US Army in Vietnam from December 1965 to December 1967. After moving to North Carolina, he became co-owner of B & B Metal Works, Inc. in Statesville.

Ed was an active member of Northview Church of Christ where he served as a greeter for over 50 years. He was a deacon and was also active in the Second Harvest Food Bank, distributing and picking up food for families in need. He and Judy were foster parents with Agape of North Carolina, keeping newborn infants in their home. They fostered 20 babies during their time with Agape.

In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by three brothers, Dewey Sanford Jr., L.J. Sanford and James Sanford, and one sister, Patricia Roderick.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Judy Owens Sanford, whom he married on November 27, 1987; his daughters, Josie A. Sanford of Statesville, and Victora S. Sink (Brian) of Thomasville, NC; stepsons, Gregory B. Hudson (Nicole) and Andrew T. Hudson (Paige) of Statesville; three brothers, Danny Sanford (Linda), Norman Sanford (Christine) of Ludington, MI, and Bill Sanford of Mooresville; three sisters, Barbara Kelly of Ludington, MI, Eileen Plouhar (Mike) of Muskegon, MI and Elaine Stumph (Jerry) of Evansville, IN; grandchildren, Ian, Eve and Ivy Kennington, Emma, Ollie and Stella Sink, Jessica Watts (Clark), Kyle Sanford, Brett Hudson (Logan) and Hanna Hudson; and four great-grandsons, Elliott, Sam, Owen and Benjamin Watts.

Funeral services for Ed will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, August 15 at Northview Church of Christ with Cody Poinsett and Les Bonnett officiating. The family will visit with friends prior to the service from 1:00 pm until 2:30 pm. Burial will be held on Thursday, August 20 at the Salisbury National Cemetery.

Arrangements for Edward Sanford are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.