John H. “Sandy” Saunders Jr.

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Nov. 7, 1927 – July 2, 2012

MADISON — Services for John H. “Sandy” Saunders Jr., 84, of Ridgeland, who died peacefully at his residence surrounded by family, Monday, July 2, 2012, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Natchez Trace Funeral Home in Madison.

Burial will follow at the Natchez Trace Park Cemetery under the direction of Natchez Trace Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home.

Mr. Saunders was born Nov. 7, 1927, in Vicksburg, the son of John H. and Myrtle Reed Saunders. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served during World War II and the Korean War.

He was a longtime resident of Natchez until 1996, when he moved to Ridgeland.

Mr. Saunders was a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church. Ole Miss held a very special place in his heart and he loved Ole Miss sports. Being on campus meant a great deal to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Geraldine Francis; two brothers, James Saunders and Charles Saunders; and one daughter, Jeannie Saunders Porter.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Saunders; four children, Wayne Saunders and wife, Shelia, Terry Saunders and wife, Maureen, Jon Saunders and wife, Peggy, and Janice Saunders; two stepchildren, Eileen Ashley Southerland and Eric Ashley; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; his loving brother and sister-in-law, John and Donna McCommon; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family expresses appreciation to the staffs of Hospice Ministries of Ridgeland and Mississippi Home Care, along with the doctors, their staffs and friends for the kindness and loving care shown during his illness.

Memorials may be made to UMAA, P.O. Box 355, University, MS 38677, Hospice Ministries, 450 Towne Center Blvd., Ridgeland, MS 39157 or Broadmoor Baptist Church, 1531 Highland Colony Parkway, Madison, MS 39110.