Michael Eugene Sanford, age 62, of Northport, Ala., passed away June 22, 2026, in Northport, Ala. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Phillips Chapel Free Will Baptist Church with Bro. Terrell Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining church cemetery with Magnolia Chapel North directing. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Donald Sanford; and nephew, Stephen Parker Sanford.

Survivors include his sister, Donna Sanford Gilliam (Barney); brother, Robert Lynn Sanford (Angie); mother, Juanita Sanford; six nephews, Chance, Trace, and Clint Gilliam, Lane, Conner, and Easton Sanford; and a host of cousins.

Michael was born September 21, 1963, to Ralph Donald Sanford and Juanita Nelson Sanford. Everyone knew Michael as "Puny," a nickname given by friends in school. He graduated in 1981 from Northside High School. He had various occupations from construction, truck driving, to working in the logging business. Puny suffered a major cardiac event and remained in the hospital for 16 weeks until he passed away.

Pallbearers will be Chance Gilliam, Trace Gilliam, Clint Gilliam, Lane Sanford, Easton Sanford, and Greg Nelson.

Honorary pallbearers are the DCH nurses and PCAs that went beyond their call of duty.