Robert Earl Saunders, 75, died Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, at Hospital Jose Maria Cabral y Baez in Santiago De Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.
Born on May 8, 1945, in Midway, he was the son of the late Georgia M. Jackson Raglin and was adopted by Emma and Reverend Richard Lee Saunders. He received ministerial appointments in Lexington, appointment in Kansas City, Kansas and in Brooklyn, New York at Stuyvesant Heights Christian Church, where the family lived for many years. He grew up in Brooklyn and attended Elementary School 167. Upon graduation, he went to Boys High School. After graduating high school, he worked as a tailor assistant. In 1968, he became a parent/teacher assistant. He developed skills to teach math and was offered a fully paid residential and academic scholarship at the University of Massachusetts. Along with friends and fellow students, he organized and funded the Shea Lumumba School for children on campus. He graduated with honors from the University of Massachusetts.
In addition to his wife, Ann Saunders, he is survived by a daughter, Celeste Saunders; two grandchildren, Tatianna Barnes and Davon Saunders; a great-granddaughter, Aubrey Barnes; eight siblings, (Estella) Roberta (Arthur) Guy, Patricia (Ketchel) Strauss, Mary (Charles) Raglin Clay, John C. Raglin Jr., Mark (Rev. Stephanie) A. Raglin, Kent (Jessica) Raglin, (Brocuz) Gary (Frances) Bush and Greg (KellyAnn) Bush, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mothers, Georgia M. Raglin and Emma Saunders; fathers, John C. Raglin Sr. and Rev. Richard L. Saunders; four siblings, Winston, Doris, Michael and Anita Darlene Raglin;and aunts and uncles, Virginia Dedman, Luther Jackson, Samuel Jackson, Mitchell Jackson Jr., Bert Ella Samuels, Frances Burdette and Florence Bush.
A private service was held Saturday, Jan. 9, at Blackburn & Ward Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Chuck Raglin, LaRon Raglin, Curtis Guy, Ronald Porter, Arthur Wayne Guy and Charles Clay. Burial followed in Midway Cemetery.
Friends and family may leave messages of condolence and share memories on his tribute page at www.blackburnandward.com.