Ellen Wilson Saunders

1929 - 2025

Ellen Wilson Saunders

May 21, 1929 - September 9, 2025

Fort Worth, Texas - Ellen Wilson Saunders passed away Tuesday, September 9, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 96.

A Celebration of Her Life will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, September 25th, in the Sanctuary of University Christian Church, 2720 S. University Dr. A reception will be held immediately following the service at the church.

Born in Leonard, Texas, Ellen was the daughter of William Patrick and Betsy Piner Wilson. She graduated from Leonard High School and attended TCU where she met the love of her life, John Chapman Saunders.

After graduating from TCU, Ellen taught school in Garland, Texas. She and John married June 16, 1951, while John was attending the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston. After John completed his medical training, Ellen, John, and their children moved to Denison where he started his medical practice.

Ellen's life was devoted to church, family, and her community. She was an active and loyal member of the First Presbyterian Church of Denison where she served as an elder, choir member, and Sunday School teacher.

She was an active member of the Denison Service League where she volunteered many hours at the resale store (The Bargain Box), which kept her connected to the people of Denison.

Ellen loved music, the Dallas Summer Musicals, and the Denison Yellowjackets, never missing a football game. She was also a die-hard TCU Horned Frog fan who attended games for over 75 years. She treasured special living memories of seeing the beautiful 75-year-old oak trees John planted on the TCU campus when he was a student.

Her family would like to express heartfelt appreciation to the staff and friends at The Stayton, for the loving attention and compassion shown to Ellen and her family. They would also like to thank her physicians, Valor Hospice and her caregiver and friend, Kathy Montgomery, for their exceptional care.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Bill; sister-in-law Sue; her grandson Zach; and two great grandchildren Judson and Lindsay.

Ellen is survived by her daughter, Pat Muckleroy and her husband, Harold, and her sons, Steve and his wife, Cathy, and Bill and his wife, Jerri. She was grandmother of ten and great-grandmother of eight; and aunt to many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Junior League of Grayson County, P.O. Box 4. Denison, Texas 75021, The Zach Muckleroy Scholarship, Atten: Anthony LaCascio, TCU Box 297140, Fort Worth, Texas 76129, University Christian Church, Capstone Project, 2720 S. University Dr., Fort Worth, Texas 76109, Faith Presbyterian Church, 301 Bailey Ranch Rd, Aledo, Texas 76008.