Robert M. Sandifer

Robert Major Sandifer, 54, of Lynchburg, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at Lynchburg General Hospital.  Robert was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, on September 27, 1961, to Jack Edward and Ethel Cobbs Sandifer.

Robert confessed his love for Christ at a young age and attended Peaceful Baptist Church with his mother and siblings during the pastorship of Dr. F. P. Lewis.  He eventually attended Providence Ministries under the pastorship of Pastor James Coleman.

Also from a very early age, it was evident that Robert was a “precocious” child as he showed signs of maturity and intelligence well beyond his years.   He was reading from the newspaper at 4 years of age and chose to read the encyclopedia and dictionary as his books of choice versus children storybooks like most children his age.  As an adult he was an incredibly intelligent and talented man who enjoyed cooking, drawing, artistry, writing, and technology. Examples of some of his artistry is displayed at Peaceful Baptist Church as he designed the Church’s Logo which hangs prominently atop the pulpit.  He was very active in working with Pastor and Mrs. Coleman during the infancy stage of Providence Ministries, and was one of the co-creators in the design of the Church’s Globe Marque.

Robert loved helping others which led to his pursuing the study of psychology, addiction, and rehabilitation at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation while living in Minnesota.  There he gained the knowledge and understanding of a myriad of tools to use to help others in coping with addiction and co-dependency.  He continued those studies at Liberty University Online and on campus.  Using what he learned as a platform to reach out to others, in the early 90s he hosted a local television series entitled, “Search for Recovery,” where he interviewed professional and religious leaders and residents from Lynchburg and surrounding counties.  More recently, his love for writing prompted him to create and establish a website “TheWriteGuru.com” offering tutoring to many who sought his help in composing, editing, and critiquing written material.  In his spare time he enjoyed web surfing, social media, Skyping family and friends, playing games, and watching movies.

Robert was preceded in death by his father and mother, Jack Edward Sandifer and Ethel Cobbs Sandifer and a brother Rev. Warren Cobbs.  Robert was very proud of his children and grandchildren and would not hesitate to give someone detailed updates on whichever one was asked about.  He leaves to mourn his memory four sons, Brandon Sandifer of Hampton , VA, Stacey Sandifer of Lynchburg, VA, Robere Sandifer (Michelle), Fort Bragg, North Carolina, & Tristan Sandifer (Kia), Lynchburg, VA; three daughters, Niyanna Sandifer Bishop (Ken), Jacksonville, Florida; Shiniqua Sandifer, Lynchburg, VA; & Tashina Miller, North Carolina; 11 grandchildren, Tatiana Kersten, Akaili Copeland-Sandifer, Bakari Copeland-Sandifer; Leandria Grant; Ken Bishop, Jr., Kymani Bishop, Sterling Sandifer, Jameson Sandifer; Noemi Erazl, Mackenzie Erazo, and Lenia Miller.  Also left to mourn are his two brothers, Walter L Cobbs, III (Mable), Lynchburg, VA and Calvin O. Cobbs (Kwang Ok), Seoul, Korea; one sister Sandra Cobbs Brown, Lynchburg, VA, as well as an aunt, Cornelia Barnett of Lynchburg, Virginia, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family will celebrate his life with a Memorial Service on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at 1 p.m. at The Peaceful Baptist Church, 2009 Park Avenue, Lynchburg, VA.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.