Delois (Saxon) Sanford was born March 3, 1952 in Dallas, Texas to Velma Christine Manning and Curtis Saxon. She was a reserved and kindhearted child that enjoyed playing with baby dolls and often took in her sisters dolls when she saw them left alone for too long.

Delois moved to Pittsburg, Ca with her family when she was 12 years old. Her childhood friends and family often called her Lois, while she grew up to be more widely known as Dee.

Delois graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1970 and moved to Oakland, Ca where she began attending Merritt College for child psychology and sociology. Delois continued on to teach preschool and kindergarten for the Oakland school district and Montessori program.

Delois married Theodore (Shaka Shakur) Sanford. To this union they welcomed a son, Jevon Sanford. Delois and her growing family enjoyed spending quality time with her mother, Velma and mother in law Hattie Mae.

When Delois and Theodore separated, she moved back home to Pittsburg. She began babysitting children and made lasting memories with her niece and nephews.

Years later, Delois reconnected with old friend Maurice Lawson, to this union Tori and Malik (Moses) Lawson were born. Delois also welcomed her first grandson during this time, Jevon Sanford Jr.

Delois was a mother to all, opening her home to Jevon's close friends throughout the 90's. This led to her interest in foster parenting. She went on to have multiple foster siblings stay with the family throughout the next decade. She was also a crossing guard for Pittsburg School District.

During this time her second grandson, Dorjan Sanford was born. Delois enjoyed exploring with her family and many other children on the weekends. Trips to Pier 39 in San Francisco, concerts, museums and plays were a constant.

Delois was always going to find a way to make you laugh and give you wise words of encouragement. Her conversations often lead to stories filled with meaningful lessons.

Delois was elated by the birth of her grandchildren Jeremiah and Jayla Sanford. She loved taking them to parks, the lake near her home and letting them get away with things they could only do at grandma's house.

Delois has planted many seeds of knowledge within every person she's encountered. Her life will be a testament of how leading with love and compassion can truly make the world a better place.

Delois was preceded in death by her parents Velma Manning and Curtis Saxon, sister Linda Saxon Nicholson, and brother Gerald Saxon.

Her memory will forever move through her children Jevon Sanford, Tori and Moses Lawson. Grandchildren, Jevon Jr., Dor'jan, Jeremiah and Jayla Sanford. Her siblings, Gwendolyn and Curtis Wayne Saxon, her nieces and nephews, NaKeshai and Stanley Nicholson, Shirlene Cooper, Chives Saxon, LaDerrel, DaMonei'o, and Jessie Harts. Many great nieces and nephews, and a host of extended family and friends.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 2-5pm and funeral service on Friday January 21, 2022 at 11:00am at the Pittsburg Funeral Chapel, 2295 Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg. Burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Concord.