Obituary of Richard Saunders

Richard Thomas Saunders, 92 of Moneta, VA passed away Saturday, January 16, 2010 in Oakwood Manor. He was born on Friday, October 26, 1917 in Bedford Co., a son of the late James Harvey Saunders and Annie Susan Nichols Saunders. He was also preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, Elizabeth Rush Saunders; two brothers, Harry Saunders and Gordon Saunders and three sisters, Helen Whitmire, Maude Hall, and Pearl Johnson. He worked for Lynchburg Transit Bus Company where he met Elizabeth Rush, who was to become his lifelong partner for sixty-two years. Together, they became owners and operators of R. T. Saunders Grocery and worked along side one another for twenty-one years. Richard was a charter member of Moneta Ruritan Club and Moneta Fire Department. He was also a member of Morgans Baptist Church where he was a long time deacon and was active in all aspects of the church. Surviving is his daughter, Rebecca S. Arney & husband, Robert, Sr. of Moneta, a son, Richard Michael Saunders & wife, Shenna of Bedford, a foster son, Ralph Slone & wife, Deborah of Flat Rock, IN, eight grandchildren & step-granchildren, nine step great grandchildren and five step great great grandchildren, two sisters, Mary S. Taylor & husband, Richard of Newport News; Annie S. Wells of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, his longtime caregiver, Joyce Ellis, and numerous nieces & nephews who have been a great suport system for Richrd & Liz. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Moneta Fire Department, P. O. Box 455, Moneta, VA 24121. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Morgans Baptist Church with Rev. Rick Mallory officiating. Interment will follow in Morgans Baptist Church Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday after 12 noon and the family will receive friends from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford