Fannie Saunders

Portsmouth - Fannie N. Saunders, 91, died July 29, 2011 at Maryview Hospital in Portsmouth, VA. Born in Norfolk County, VA, she was a teacher in the Portsmouth Public School System for 38 years. She taught at Cavalier Manor, Truxton, and Douglass Park Elementary Schools before completing her career at Harry Hunt Junior High School. She was a graduate of I.C. Norcom High School, Saint Paul’s College and Virginia State University. She was a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church where she was active in various ministries, including the Trustee Board, Alfreda Knight’s Golden Age Ministry, Beautification Club, Pastor’s Aid Society, and Sunday School. Her civic and professional activities included membership in the Zeta Pi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the Virginia Teachers Association, and the Portsmouth Retired Teachers Association. She was known for her sense of humor and quick wit, and she and her sister Willnette were admired for their meticulous home and beautiful flowers. On at least one occasion a picture of her home was featured in the local newspaper. Fannie was preceded in death by her sister Willnette E. Saunders, her brothers, Cornell Cornelius, Jeremiah Ezekiel, and Earl Isaiah Saunders, and her loving niece, Jean E. Roane Harris. She is survived by her devoted niece Bonita V. Saunders, Ph.D. of Gaithersburg, Maryland, special nieces-in-law, Jennifer Dove Saunders of Richmond, Virginia and Shirley Powell Saunders of Trenton, New Jersey, grandnephews, Robert L. Harris, Jr. of Trenton, New Jersey, Jerrell D. Saunders (Sheryl) and Javaid D. Saunders of Richmond, Virginia, grandniece Jenee’ E. Saunders of Alexandria, Virginia, goddaughter, Joi Jamison of Atlanta, Georgia, devoted friends, Floyd Long and family of Portsmouth, Virginia and a host of other relatives and friends. There will be a wake from 5-7:30 p.m. at J.T. Fisher Funeral Services, 1080 N George Washington Hwy., Chesapeake on Friday, August 5, 2011. A life celebration service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 3310 Deep Creek Blvd., Portsmouth, by the Rev. E.T. Knight. Burial will be at Roosevelt Memorial Park, Chesapeake. The family has entrusted J. T. Fisher Funeral Services to handle the final care arrangements. Condolences can be offered to the family at www.jtfisherfuneralservices.com

Fannie Saunders

December 24, 1919 - July 29, 2011