Donovan Jevon Sanders, 35, passed away unexpectedly on November 26, 2021, at his residence.  He was born on February 3, 1986, in Racine, WI, where he spent most of his life.  Donovan was the son of Donald J. Sanders and Shelia Y. Stewart.

In his early education, Donovan attended grade school at Trinity Lutheran and continued at Racine Lutheran High School graduating on June 6, 2004, where he was recognized as prom king and a high honors student each year.  At Racine Lutheran High he also was on the varsity basketball team.  Donovan was accepted into several prestigious universities, to include Princeton and Purdue University.  He was also offered and received numerous scholarships.  He ultimately selected and graduated from Purdue on May 3, 2008, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communications.  Donovan was a highly intelligent individual and had an insatiable thirst for knowledge.  Starting at an early age he received a vast number of awards, acknowledgments, and certificates of achievement. At Racine Lutheran High school, each year he received the Scholastic Achievement Academic Excellence award.  In 2003 he received a Certificate of Membership with the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools based on scholarship, leadership, service, and character.  Donovan is listed in the national Who's Who Among American High School Students each year's annual edition from 2000 to 2003 in recognition of his academic achievements. Throughout his adult life and career, he continued his desire to learn new things and continued his love for reading and working with computers.   After obtaining his degree, he moved to Florida and worked as an Account Executive for several years before moving back to Racine, WI.  He was last employed at Aflac as a life insurance salesman.

Donovan was a very polite, caring person, was sensitive to people, outgoing yet not outspoken.  His favorite color was North Carolina Blue.  He loved to dance and was an avid fan of Michael Jackson and would often imitate his dancing moves.  As a young child while attending a concert his dancing skills were noticed, and he was selected from the crowd to come on stage with MC Hammer along with one of his closest cousins Shahmal to display his dancing skills.   He was a critical thinker that would spend free time solving puzzles, answer questions while watching a variety of game shows and wanted everyone to know his favorite was Jeopardy.  He also loved watching and solving crime show mysteries.

Donovan was christened as an infant with Delores and Cornelius Spann acknowledged as his godparents.  He was later baptized on July 24 ^th , 1994, by the late Reverend Mack C. Davis at Second Missionary Baptist Church. He continued as a member of Second Missionary Baptist Church for many years until joining Christ Community Church under the leadership of Pastor Daryn D. Crenshaw.

Donovan leaves to cherish his precious memory, his loving parents Donald J. Sanders and Shelia Y. Stewart (Paul Crayton), grandmother: Doris Stewart; sister: Treva (Dwight) Anderson; uncle: Kevin Stewart Sr. of Minnesota; aunts: Sonja Rachal of California; Deboria Sanders and Terrie Sanders of Alabama, Anita (Jeremiah) Sanders; special cousins: Peter Bland, Shahmal Anthony, Toya Sanders, Krisey Sanders, Kimberly Hoppe, Taylor James, Kevin Stewart Jr., Joy (Abraham III) Simmons, Allisia Stewart, Desiree Veasey, Monique West; Sherri Garret-Jackson; three nephews and one niece, special friends: Chauncey Mayfield II, Corey Marten, Benjamin Davis, Ryan Torres, D. Joseph Ferris, Paul Zimdars, Kevin Fischer, Paula Crayton, Samantha Hansen and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Donovan was preceded in death by, his grandfathers: Earnest Stewart and Morris Reaser, uncles: Archie Stewart, Boyce Stewart and Anthony Sanders, grandmother: Eva Sanders, great grandfather: Ira Stewart; great grandmothers: Azzie Stewart, Adella Harper and Eliza Sanders.

Family and friends are invited to meet on Friday, December 10, 2021, at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church 1123 Center Street, Racine, WI, for a visitation from 10:00 am -11:00 am and homegoing service officiated by Pastor Daryn D. Crenshaw at 11:00 am.  Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.

Service Details

Family and friends are invited to meet on Friday, December 10, 2021, at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church 1123 Center Street, Racine, WI, for a visitation from 10:00 am -11:00 am

Donovan's Homegoing service will follow at 11:00.a.m.

You may watch the service via livestream on St. Paul's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stpaulbaptistracine/live/

Order Flowers from Family Selected Florists