L. O. Sanderson (1901–1992)

Song writer and gospel preacher. He spoke on the first Freed-Hardeman College lectureship in 1937. Terry Gardner wrote: Born into a Methodist family near Jonesboro, Ark., Lloyd Otis Sanderson was sprinkled at age 11. James E. Laird taught Sanderson the gospel and immersed him into Christ in 1922. Sanderson attended a number of colleges including Harper and Harding. A person of many gifts, Sanderson excelled in debate, preaching, song leading, teaching, songwriting, hymnal editing and many other things. In 1933 Foy E. Wallace Jr. hired Sanderson to be the music editor and a staff writer for the Gospel Advocate. Sanderson edited Christian Hymns I, II, III, for the Gospel Advocate Co. He also wrote the music to more than 500 songs, including "Be With Me, Lord." In late 1937, when the Gospel Advocate's editor, John T. Hinds, was disabled (he died on Jan. 1, 1938), Sanderson "assisted by W. E. Brightwell, edited the Gospel Advocate until the appointment of B. C. Goodpasture in the spring of 1939. Sanderson also served as business manager for the Gospel Advocate Co. for seven years. He founded and edited the Christian Counselor. Gospel Advocate, June 2005. Gospel preacher listed in Preachers of Today, Vol. 1, 1952, 300.