Mary Ellen Saunders

Mrs. Mary Ellen McLean Saunders, 66, of 872 McDonald Church Rd., Rockingham passed away Sunday, October 18, 2009 at Hospice Haven in Rockingham. She was an English teacher with Senior honors students for many years at Richmond Senior High School. Mary Ellen graduated from Hoffman High School as valedictorian of her senior class. She graduated from St. Andrews College in Laurinburg, where for her last two years she was an aide to a disabled student. She loved teaching and her students were her greatest joy. Fellow school workers made the last few months at work possible, as she suffered with ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Though enduring much pain, she bore her bad times with a beautiful spirit. Mary Ellen was the only girl and the youngest of six children. She was preceded in death by parents, John McLean, Sr. and Fannie Liles McLean; her oldest brother, Grady McLean, and her husband, Larry Saunders. She is survived by a son, Daniel Hart of Sunset Beach and two grandsons, Austin and Riley Hart; step-son, Larry Sherrill Saunders of Wadesboro and step-daughter, Shannon Bradley of Atlanta; four brothers, John McLean Jr. (Maxine) of Laurel Hill, Eugene McLean (Betty) of Rockingham, Earl McLean (Nancy) of Monroe, and Rev. James McLean (Betty) of Roseboro; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and co-workers. Funeral services will be conducted 4:00 pm Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at Roberdel Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Smith, Rev. James McLean, and Rev. Eddie McLean officiating. Interment will follow in Richmond Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 pm at Carter Funeral Home in Rockingham and other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Richmond County, 1119 US Hwy 1 N., Rockingham, NC 28379 or Roberdel Baptist Church, 1118 Richmond Rd., Rockingham, NC 28379. The family wishes to thank all of Mary Ellen’s friends and co-workers who made her last days easier, for all the gifts and especially the visits and prayers.