Chip Sanders

Hartsville, SC  

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Joe Maxwell “Chip” Sanders III, a man of boundless humor and strength. Chip was born on September 11, 1967, in San Francisco, California. He transitioned out of this life on January 22, 2026, while at MUSC – Florence Medical Center after a long battle with esophageal cancer. He transitioned peacefully with his loving wife, Lisa, by his side.

A visitation will be held on Saturday February 14, 2026 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at Norton Funeral Home, Hartsville.

Through his journey of 58 years, he touched many lives with his humor and an unwavering spirit of perseverance. He fought like a Bronco.

Chip moved from San Francisco to Colorado in 1971, where he met two great loves: the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Avalanche. He attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, and Johnson & Wales in Charleston, South Carolina. He moved to Maggie Valley, North Carolina, in 2004, where he eventually met another great love—his wife, Lisa.

Chip was an avid football and hockey fanatic, a terrific snow skier, a gardener, a chef, a loving grandfather, and always the funniest person in any room he was ever in.

Chip was preceded in death by his brother, David Scott Sanders, and his father, Dr. Joe Maxwell “Doc” Sanders II, who passed only nine days before Chip.

He is survived by his loving mother, Dottie; devoted wife, Lisa; two daughters, Carolina and Cassidy; one brother, Eric; two nephews, Marshall and Alex; two grandsons, August and Rowan; and far too many loving friends to count.

Chip touched the lives of everyone who had the honor of knowing him. His selflessness, humor, and generosity will be remembered forever. He leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and compassion that lives on in all of 

Norton Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Sanders family.