Charles Branch Saunders

Charles "Charlie" Branch Saunders, 84, was welcomed into his heavenly home on February 17, 2018 after a short but ultimately decisive battle with cancer, but not before living a long, healthy, and active life. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God and for God’s will to be one supported him to face the diagnosis and gave him the ultimate peace that only our Savior in Christ can provide.

Charlie was born to the late Woodrow “Pete” Wilson Saunders and Ida McFadden Saunders, in Rustburg, VA on July 31, 1933.  He was immersed in the Christian faith and community that would be his lifelong support from an early age.  He served our country in the Air Force from 1952 to 1956.  But his most important service was in the service of the Lord through his mission trips overseas, and through his everyday walk with the Lord as he worked as a courtesy shuttle driver at Billy Craft Honda in Lynchburg, VA as part of his working retirement and in raising of his family in the ways of the Lord.

Charlie was blessed with a large and loving family.  He met and married Elizabeth Wanda Carr Joyner, his confidante and friend, on June 9, 1984 in Eads, TN, near Memphis.  Charlie raised his five children with Patience, Discipline and Christian Humility. He taught them life lessons, such as Forgiveness, Excellence, Motivation, and Agape Love. He taught them appreciation and love of the outdoors, as he often took them to hike and see the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  From the very beginning, he dedicated his children to God and encouraged them to remain faithful in the promise of the Savior, which has continued on in his grandchildren and ultimately will be continued on in the future generations.

Charlie was master of many trades and a perfectionist at heart, which fortunately or unfortunately passed on to his offspring. He was kind and soft-spoken, and always found time to answer a question or solve a problem no matter how small, but only after thoughtful consideration. He will be dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his Creator.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Wanda; his sons Jeff Saunders, Greg Saunders, Blake Joyner, and Chris Saunders; his favorite daughter Beverly Grace Saunders Wilson, his grandchildren Jeff Saunders, Tyler Witt, DJ Joyner, Bekah Joyner, Kayleigh Saunders, Morgan Saunders, Adam Saunders, Evan Saunders, and Jacob Saunders. He is preceded in death by his parents. 

Charlie’s life will be celebrated at the Zion Baptist Church, Brownsville, TN with visitation at 9:30 a.m on Tuesday February 20th with service following at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Bobby Russ and Roy Lewis will officiate the service followed by internment at the Brownsville Memorial Gardens Cemetery at approximately 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his favorite charity the Salvation Army and the Kirkland Cancer Center in Jackson, TN.

Lea & Simmons Funeral Home, Brownsville,TN is in charge of arrangements. (731) 772-8880 or www.leaandsimmons.com 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17