Alabama announces death of former head coach Wimp Sanderson's wife, Annette

Former Alabama men’s basketball coach Wimp Sanderson’s wife, Annette, has died, the program announced on Wednesday. She was 86.

“The University of Alabama and the men’s basketball team mourns the loss of Annette Sanderson, the wife of fomer head coach Wimp Sanderson. Annette was a sweet, kind and loving person. In addition to being an incredible woman, she served as a mother to the Alabama basketball players that Wimp coached, always providing support and love to our student-athletes.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Wimp and the rest of the Sanderson family. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date by the Sanderson family.”

According to AL.com, the Sanderson’s were married for 67 years. Born on Nov. 19, 1938, Annette would meet her future husband while in high school. They got married shortly after their graduation and never looked back.

A piece of her obituary was also shared, via AL.com’s report: “Annette was a firm Christian wife and mom who raised three great sons who all chose coaching which mans Annette had to endure a coaching family for her lifetime and was the ultimate coaches wife and mother through every victory and painstaking lose. … She loved supporting her husband and sons throughout their coaching careers. Her favorite past times were playing tennis, reading books, hanging out and playing cards with family and friends, cooking, and decorating her homes. She lived life fully and will be missed by many.”

For her husband, Wimp Sanderson, he originally joined the Alabama coaching in 1960 as a graduate assistant. He would spend the next two decades as an assistant on the Crimson Tide’s staff before being hired on as head coach in 1981. He went on to coach Alabama for 12 seasons, amassing a 267-119 record during that span.

While coaching for Alabama, Sanderson won SEC coach of the year three times, and national coach of the year once. He won four SEC Tournaments and eight NCAA Tournament appearances which included Sweet 16 berths on five difference occasions. Annette was right by his side during the entire run, cheering on the Crimson Tide from the sidelines and picking out her husband’s plaid jackets before each game.

Annette Sanderson’s celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7 at the University Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa. Visitations will be held prior to the ceremony, and there will be a graveside service at 4 p.m. at Florence City cemetary in Florence.