L.E. Saunders, Jr.

Burlington, NC Leonard "Junior" Eugene Saunders, Jr., age 78, of Mine Creek Road went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at his home surrounded by his family. He was a native of Alamance County and is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara Lee Shoe Saunders. Junior retired from Burlington Industries Transportation Division as a truck driver after 28 years. He was a bus driver for Royal Tours for 8 years following his retirement from B.I. Junior was a member of Lakeview Christian Church and a member of Bula Masonic Lodge # 409 A.F. & A.M. He was a veteran of the US Army serving during the Korean War. Junior loved people and never met a stranger. He was a loving and devoted Christian husband, father, grandfather and brother. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Lee Shoe Saunders of the home; daughter, Lee Ann Oakley and her husband, Mike of Burlington; son, Freddie Eugene Saunders and his wife, Kelly of Burlington; grandchildren, Stacie Chris Oakley Grooms of South Carolina, Eric Oakley, Caitlin Saunders, Carson Saunders all of Burlington; sisters, Annie C. Woody and her husband, Carl of Burlington, Louise Baker and her husband, Jim of Hubert, NC, Bessie Lassiter and her husband, Currie Lee of Burlington, Sara Underwood and her husband, Aubrie of Burlington, Maggie Satterfield of Burlington, Barbara Ann Thompson and her husband, Sam of Burlington and Peggy Pickard of Burlington; brothers, Roy Saunders and his wife, Betty of Elon, Bobby Saunders and his wife, Glenda of Burlington and an aunt, Ava Ferguson of Burlington; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Eugene Saunders, Sr. and Mary Danieley Saunders. A service to celebrate his life will be held on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Lakeview Community Church by Rev. Reid Dickens and the burial will follow at Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Thursday at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory and other times at the home. The Saunders family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice and Dr. Choksi and his staff for their compassion and care for Junior over the past several months. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.