A branch has fallen from the family tree. Our dear, loving Mom, Marian Ollie Bell Saunders, departed her earthly life in Charlotte, NC answering her call to eternal rest on Wednesday, October 06, 2021. She was born March 27, 1927, to the late Henry Robert and Alice Louise Brown Bell. She was the 15 ^th child of sixteen (16) children.

Marian was a quiet, soft-spoken woman. BUT when she spoke her words carried weight; you knew to listen because she meant business. Speaking of business, Marian was quite the successful fundraiser for many causes near and dear to her heart (Oak Grove Baptist Church; Rivermont Baptist Church; The Helping Hands Club, whose purpose was to provide assistance to local citizens in need; and ANY activity her children or grandchildren were involved in.

She was strong in faith. At an early age she accepted Christ into her life and was baptized at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Forest, Virginia. After moving to Lynchburg, Virginia and marrying Walter, she joined Rivermont Baptist Church (over 68 years ago). Through the years she was a faithful member of the Gospel Chorus, the Senior Usher Board, the Youth Sunday School Department, and wherever else she was asked to serve. Marian received extensive training under the instruction of the late Rev. Winston R. Jones and was ordained as the first female Deacon at Rivermont Baptist Church on Sunday, January 17, 1993. As her health declined, Pastor Byron Elliot and the members of Rivermont Baptist Church bestowed Marian with the title of Deacon Emeritus.

In addition to her faith, Marian's love of and devotion to family was paramount. Her children could always count on her to go before the Lord in fervent prayer knowing that He would hear and answer her.

She was preceded in death by her husband and our father, Walter Saunders; son-in-law, Calvin R. Hubbard; former daughter-in-law, Joyce J. Saunders; and great-grandson, Benjamin J. Stewart.

Great love and memories will be cherished by those she leaves here on Earth: her sole surviving sister, Virginia Bell Warren of Washington, D.C.; her children, Calesta Walter Saunders, Sr. (Jan) of Oviedo, Florida, Jacqueline S. J. Hubbard of Charlotte, North Carolina and Diane S. Stewart (David) of Lynchburg, Virginia; her grandchildren, Eva Hubbard Young (John) of Auburn, Washington, Lisa Hubbard Howell, Lance Ragland (Keri) of Oviedo, Florida, Amy Stewart Snead (JD)  of Lynchburg, Virginia, Cole  Ragland of Maitland, FL, Tracie Jackson Taylor of Charlotte, NC, Calesta Walter Saunders, Jr. (Lyn) of Richmond, Virginia, Natahlia Hubbard Alicea (Santos) of Orlando, Florida, Kimberlie Stewart Mason (Sammy) of Lynchburg, Virginia, David S. Stewart, II (Lisa) of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, and Simone J. Stewart of Lynchburg, Virginia; twenty-four (24) great-grandchildren and seven (7) great-great grandchildren; loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mom had three (3) very special "daughters of the heart"; Kim Blue of Oviedo, Florida, Ruth Anderson and Deborah Calloway, both of Lynchburg, Virginia. We will always be grateful for Deborah Calloway's love, kindness, and devotion to mom as her caregiver.

A celebration of life will be held 11AM Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at Davis-Turner Funeral Service with the Rev. Byron J. Elliott, officiating. The family will be receiving friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Fort Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the Oak Grove Baptist Church P.O. Box 232 Goode, VA 24556. Service of comfort rendered by Davis-Turner Funeral Service.

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