Ernest Saunders

Ernest Saunders, 86, of Wytheville, Va., passed away on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. He was the son of the late Lawrence and Bertie Jennings Saunders. He was a graduate of Virginia Tech in chemical engineering and a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. He was a United States Army Veteran of World War II and was a POW in Germany. He worked for Mead Paper Corporation at Various Locations and spent 1952 to 1985 at Harriman, Tenn., as Superintendent of Paper Mill. He was an active member of United Methodist Church, an avid Golfer, and loved his Bridge Groups. He helped his wife teach Ball Room Dancing for many years. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Lucile Lawrence Kesting and Billy Ruth Long; and brothers, Henry Harold Saunders and Twin Everette Saunders. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Doris Umberger Saunders, of Wytheville; son and daughterin-law, Barry Alan and Susan Saunders, of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; daughter and son-in-law, Marcia Saunders and James "Fox" Foxworthy, of Birmingham, Ala.; grandson, Bryan C. Foxworthy, of Birmingham, Ala.; granddaughter, Caitlin D. Foxworthy, of Birmingham, Ala.; and stepgrandchild, Alicia M. Heidmann, of Knoxville, Tenn. A Graveside Memorial Service will be held 1 p.m. on Friday, December 18, 2009, at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Bluefield, Va. The family would like to thank their many friends and Hospice of Southwest Virginia for their care and support during his illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 W. Ridge Road, Wytheville, Va. 24382 or to the American Cancer Society, Wythe/Bland Unit, P.O. Box 958, Wytheville, Va. 24382. Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.