Richard E. Saunders, 58, of 162 Kingsdale Rd., Suffolk, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, after a courageous battle with cancer with his wife and children by his side.

A native of Suffolk, he was a son of the late Percy Clifton Saunders Sr. and Ida Richards Saunders.

Richard was a loving and devoted husband, father, &uot;Papaw,&uot; and brother. Richard’s life exemplified integrity, strength and an undying love for his wife and children.

He was a dedicated worker his entire life, and had retired as a dispatcher from Wilson Trucking Corp. with 16 years of service.

He was a member of Suffolk Christian Church and

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Margaret Norfleet Saunders; daughters and sons-in-law, Karen Lynn Saunders and James Wesley Rose of Chester; and Christine Anne Saunders and Kevin Ross Birdsell of Palm Harbor, Fla.; son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey Wayne and April Marie Saunders of McDonough, Ga.; grandchildren, Lauren, Daniel, Branson and Benjamin Rose; Savanah, Triston and Skyler Saunders; and brothers, Percy Clifton Saunders Jr. of Danville, Pa. and Charles David Saunders of Richmond.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13 in Suffolk Christian Church with the Revs. Michael D. Halley and J. Forrest Guthrie officiating.

Burial will be in Western Branch Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday in Parr Funeral Home, and other times at the home.

Memorials may be made to Suffolk Christian Church Memorial Fund, 216 N. Main St., Suffolk, Va. 23434.