Born in Pecan Gap, Texas, on April 18, 1937, Zebby Joe was the second child of Mike Madison Sailors and Josie Adela Holland Sailors. He had an older brother, Dewey Lee, a younger sister, Vera May, and younger brother Jerry Don.  He attended first grade there, then his family moved to Sanford, Texas, where his father had been hired to work on the railroad.  At the age of 16, he met the love of his life, Ava Jean Snowden.  She, along with her parents and 4 siblings, had just moved from Erick Ok, to Sanford for the second semester of her Junior year.  Zeb's sister, Vera, introduced him to Ava, and he immediately asked her and her siblings to the drive in movie that night for $1 a car night. Zeb and Ava were inseparable from that day on. The Snowden family returned to Erick after those short months at the beginning of 1954, but Zeb would drive every weekend to visit her, after his night shift at a gas station in Borger. He'd have to be back to work on Saturday night. They continued to see each other through that summer and their Senior year of high school.  They graduated in May of 1955, and married on June 18, 1955.  Zeb had just turned 18, and as Ava was still 17, her father's signature was required for their marriage license.

Zeb was a milkman at this time, and they set up their little home in Borger, Texas. Ten months after their wedding, on April 22, 1956,  a baby girl arrived, Deborah Lynn.  They moved to Dumas, Texas in early 1957 as Zeb had obtained employment with Phillips Petroleum Company. On December 5, 1957, a baby boy, Ricky Joe arrived.

Zeb had been a dedicated member of the church of Christ since a young boy, and had the desire to preach. When he was 22, he began preaching on Sunday nights at his parents' home church in Sanford. In the summer of 1961, the church of Christ in Girard, Texas, hired him as their full time preacher. He had just turned 24. On April 11 of 1962, a third child, a boy, Terry Dean was born.  Later that year in the fall, the church in Lefors, Texas hired Zeb, and the family relocated. They enjoyed almost 5 years there, growing their little family, as another baby boy, Gary Gene arrived on January 22, 1964, then a baby girl, Sherri Michele, on July 14, 1966.  Many life long friendships were made during those years. In August of 1967, another relocation was made to Stinnett, Texas as he was hired to preach for the church there. While living there, Zeb began taking classes at Frank Phillip Jr. College and received an Associate degree in the spring of 1970.  Later that same year, he was hired by the Monte Vista, Colorado church of Christ, and began a 14 year ministry there.  During that time Zeb completed his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Counseling at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, then earned his Master's Degree in 1979.  He taught for one year, then did substitute teaching for a couple of years, but always remarked "That was just not for me!"  Zeb was always well known around each community he resided in throughout his preaching career as he visited the hospitals daily, each patient, not just members of his congregation.  Also, he went into neighborhoods and knocked on doors, inviting people to the worship services, and setting up home Bible studies to those interested.  In the summer of 1984, as "empty nesters" Zeb and Ava relocated to Pueblo, Colorado, and for the first time in 23 years he left the ministry to pursue other endeavors.  By 1987, he and Ava had moved to North Richland Hills, Texas, where he tried his hand at a variety of jobs, including driving an airport shuttle, and a car salesman.  A year later, the elders of the Stinnett church of Christ asked him to consider returning to the ministry there. So in 1988, he began his final ministry that would last for 18 years.  After most of those years, and over 40 years total of preaching, Zeb knew he was about ready to retire from being a minister, but wanted another career. He obtained his realtor's license at the age of 69, and resigned from preaching. Then he and Ava relocated to Pampa, Tx in 2006, where he was employed by Century 21.

In 2014, aware of their advancing ages and desiring to be closer to some of their family, they moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas.  Zeb still wanted to be working, so he stopped in at a local Century 21, where he soon discovered he'd have to retake the realtor's exam to be licensed in Arkansas. That was not appealing to him!   As he had been repairing windshield chips for many years for friends and family, he decided to go into business for himself.  He found a place to park legally, 5 miles from their home, just across the state line of Missouri, and put out his sign. Over the last 10 years he has repaired chips for hundreds of customers.  Word of mouth expanded his business and it was a rare day when nobody stopped.  A lot of people knew his name but if they didn't, they knew his location to get their windshields fixed.  A few years ago, someone on social media, made a post about him.  It was shared over 1,000 times, and comments totaled several thousand. Many of them said they were repeat customers and how they loved talking to him and hearing about his bride and his years as a minister. It boosted his business so much, that for weeks after he was kept hopping!  He never turned anyone away if they only had a credit or debit card, and didn't have cash. He'd fix the chip and tell them they could pay him later. Almost always, the customer would return days and sometimes weeks later to pay him.  He continued to go to his spot every day weather permitting, except Sundays, up until a few days prior to his admittance to the hospital with breathing problems on March 16th.

In March of 2024, just 3 months short of 69 years of marriage, his wife, Ava, died suddenly and unexpectedly after a brief hospital and hospice stay. His grief never lessened, but he carried on with the support of his family and church family in Bella Vista.

Zeb became ill due to a fall he had in December of 2024 which injured his lung area, unbeknownst to him or his family. It became an issue three months later, and after two hospital stays in three weeks' time, he was placed on Hospice care. Three days later, he passed peacefully in his home on Sunday morning April 6, 2025, with his two daughters in attendance.

Zeb was preceded in death by his wife Ava Jean, his parents and all of his siblings.  He is survived by his five children, Debbie Witt of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Ricky (Rosa) Sailors of San Antonio, Texas, Terry (Andene) Sailors of Pottsboro, Texas, Gary (Kristi) Sailors of Georgetown, Texas, and Sherri (Matthew) McReynolds of Bella Vista, Arkansas. Also 16 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. His kind heart, generous nature and wonderful sense of humor will be missed by his loved ones, and all who knew him.