Wilbur Ash Saunders

Mr. Wilbur A. Saunders, 86, of Charlotte, formerly of Rockingham, died Friday, June 12, 2009 at Lawyers Glenn Retirement Living Center in Charlotte. Mr. Saunders was born September 24, 1922 in Anson County, a son of the late Jess and Idean Pickett Saunders. He attended Matthews United Methodist Church, previously of Park Avenue Presbyterian Church in Rockingham and had served as an elder at Watson Heights Presbyterian Church. He served his country in the US Army during World War II as a paratrooper. Mr. Saunders retired from the textile industry in Rockingham and later worked part time at Pictorial Engraving after moving to Charlotte. His wife of 65 years, Anne Smith Saunders, preceded him in death on January 21, 2008. His brothers, Ernest, Albert, Royce, Lonnie and Larry, and sisters, Madge Saunders, Agnes Lassiter and Edna Grant also preceded him in death. Surviving are daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa and David Paul of Mint Hill, Brenda and Mickey Brigman of Matthews; grandson and best friend, Kevin Brigman of Matthews; sisters, Joyce Speight of Rockingham and Carol Eliason of Surfside Beach, NC. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday in the Colonial Chapel of Carter Funeral Home in Rockingham with Pastor Dawn Hand officiating. Interment will follow in Richmond County Memorial Park. The family will see friends from 1:00 – 1:45 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215-3220 or to Hospice and Pallative Care, 1420 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, NC 28204. The family would like to thank the staff of Lawyers Glen for the loving care they provided for their father.