pat saunders Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Patricia Ann Saunders, known best as Pat to friends and family, passed away peacefully in her home Monday, April 20, 2015, at the age of 63. Funeral services will be held at 12pm, Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Life Church, 1393 E. Woodview Drive, Leander, Texas, led by Pastor AJ Quinton. The family will receive guests for visitation one hour prior to the start of the service, beginning at 11am. Pat was born Thursday, September, 20, 1951 in Red Jacket, West Virginia, to Katherine (Prunty) and Russell Saunders, Sr. She graduated in 1969 from John Jay High School, and later attended Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, NY. She served as a deacon at Hebron Baptist Church in Brooklyn for many years. Pat worked many years as a superintendent for the transit system in Brooklyn, New York, before retiring November 10, 2006. In September 2013, she joined her brother in the wide-open spaces of Leander, Texas, lured in by the beautiful wildflowers and peaceful meadows. She loved to travel with her family, sailing the seas by luxury cruise ships, and relaxing on beaches with cool drinks and great company. She soaked in the sights and sounds of the world around her. Pat enjoyed jazz music, and was a light in the life of all who knew her. Her smile and energetic spirit was contagious, and she made an effort to be a loving and strengthening presence to those around her. She was a beautiful soul and will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her beloved daughter, Erika Saunders. Those left to cherish her memory are her brothers, Michael Saunders, and Russell Saunders, Jr. and wife, Rosemary, of Leander; sister, Dana Moody and husband Arthur of New York; 10 nephews and nieces, Russell Saunders III, Tony Guerrero, Kim Saunders, Karen Saunders, Vanessa Guerrero and husband Craig Dodger, Valerie Brown and husband Leroy, Victoria Salazar and husband Marcus, Jacqueline Guerrero, Kennedie Guerrero, and Katherine Saunders; 8 grand-nieces and nephews, Kendall Lawrence, Nadia Saunders, Keylan Saunders, Xyla Saunders, Nathaniel Guerrero, Quincy Saunders, Mikayla Salazar, Bonnie Guerrero; and her companion and dog, Zoey. Pallbearers will be Russel Saunders, Jr., Arthur Moody, Craig Dodger, Leroy Brown, Dortch Wynn, and Kennedie Guerrero. Honorary Pallbearer is Marcus Salazar. Donations in honor of Pat and her loving and giving spirit can be made to http://stjude.org to support research to end childhood cancer.