FRANKLIN - Mitchell Edward Sands, 62, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022.
Mitch was born in Leesburg, Florida, to the late Edward Franklin “Sonny” Sands and Melba Georgianne Gill Sands.
Mitch learned to play the guitar at an early age, following in the footsteps of his musical family. In school, he was president of the FFA and a member of the FFA String Band. He also sang and played guitar at talent events in high school.
Mitch continued with his music and singing throughout his life and wrote many songs with Nashville recordings. He was one of three founding members of the Christian Country group Mercy Mountain Boys while living in Alachua, Florida. MMB produced several albums and videos, some of which are original songs.
Mitch, together with his son Marshall, wrote “Soldier’s Letter” while Marshall was in the Army in Iraq. MMB made a video of the song to honor all American soldiers. The “Bloodline” was another of Mitch’s most popular recordings; and of course, we can’t forget “The Yodel Song,” his most requested original song of all time.
Mitch was gifted with the ability to play anything with strings, and had a massive collection of guitars, mandolins, fiddles, and banjos, but his gift from God was his voice. Mitch had an astounding vocal range with the ability to sing both bass and tenor in the same song.
For the past several years, Mitch worked for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, and as a “people person” loved and was loved by his customers and fellow co-workers in his position as table dealer. Mitch loved humor and helped keep his customers happy and laughing at his table with his ‘dealer jokes’.
Mitch was a happy person, was always singing a song, working on a project around the house or playing with the dogs or cats. Mitch loved to bring joy to people and loved laughing at funny commercials and animated movies. Mitch had a personal relationship with Jesus and his faith in God was strong.
Mitch had a great love for his family and extended family - from his wife, sons, daughters, his 13 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mitch’s voice is stilled here on earth, but we know he is singing with the angels and God in Heaven.
Mitch is survived by his wife, Deborah Sands; children, Marshall Sands (Xiomara), Michael Caldwell (Jennifer); stepsons, DJ Watson, Adam Watson, JB Ippolito (Kimberly), Jason Ippolito (Dani); stepdaughter, Jessica Ippolito; daughter-in-law, June; sisters, Gwen Ellis and Nancy Smith (Steve); 13 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mitch was preceded in death by his stepson, Mathew Watson.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 29 at Macon Funeral Home from 2 to 4 p.m.
Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com. Macon Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.