Larry Saunders

SAUNDERS, Larry J., 60, of Richmond, Va., died Monday, July 11, 2011, at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center after a brief, courageous battle with a severe form of Aplastic Anemia. He was preceded in death by his mother, Harriet Elizabeth Saunders; and infant brother, Alvin W. Saunders. Surviving are his devoted wife, Delores E. Archer; his son, Barry W. Moore (Katie); grandson, Dakota; granddaughter, LaTanya, of Martinsville, Va.; father, Willie Irvin Saunders, of Martinsville, Va.; sisters, Deborah S. Hairston, of Martinsville, Va., and Brenda S. Turner (Robert), of Seattle, Washington; brothers-in-law, Raymond W. Archer III, of Washington, D.C., and Colonel (Ret.) David A. Archer (Andrea), of Richmond, Va.; nephews, Tyrone Hairston Jr. of Martinsville, Va., Robert and Brandon Turner of Seattle, Washington; nieces, Cara Hairston of Norfolk, Va., Keri Archer Brown (Jonathan) of Silver Spring, M.D., and Davia D. Archer (Michael), of Richmond, Va.; a host of other relatives and friends who have faithfully offered prayer and support during his illness. Larry was born in Keeling (Danville, Va.) and later moved to Henry County (Martinsville, Va.) After graduating from George Washington Carver High School in 1969, he completed his formal education at Virginia State University, majoring in accounting. He worked for years with Peat, Marwick and Mitchell (KPMG), before establishing a partnership with William White, opening Saunders and White C.P.A. firm in Roanoke, Va. Expanding the practice, he moved to Richmond, Va., to open a second location. Later, he established Larry Saunders and Associates, Certified Public Accountants, LLC. With the help of the Richmond community and surrounding areas within the State, he became a minority leader in C.P.A. firms. An avid supporter of Virginia State University, Larry served as a Virginia State University Foundation board member and as president of the Foundation. He was instrumental in the planning, and subsequent construction, of the University Apartments at Ettrick, to provide more quality housing for students. Larry served as a board member of the Virginia State University Real Estate Foundation (VSUREF) and was the Foundation's first president. A lifetime member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Larry served in various capacities to support the mission of the fraternity. He was a member of Club 533, The Thebans and Jefferson Lakeside Country Club. He was also a member of the North Central Richmond Kiwanis, having received several awards and the highest honor of the George F. Hixson Fellow. Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd., where the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. will conduct a memorial service on Friday, July 15, at 6 p.m., followed by the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held, Saturday, July 16, at 1 p.m. in Virginia Hall at Virginia State University, 1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, Va. 23806. Bishop George H. Gohanna III officiating. Online guest book at www.scottsfuneralhome.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.