Benjamin Lee Saunders, 78, of Holland Drive passed away Sept. 4, 2005 at Obici Hospital. A native of Southampton County, he was the son of the late Roy Lee and Myrtie Pittman Saunders. Mr. Saunders was a member of Providence United Methodist Church. He had retired from the City of Norfolk Department of Public Utilities after 31 years of service. He was a retired farmer and a lifetime member of the Zuni Hunt Club. Ben loved to hunt and fish.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 58 years, Virginia Powell Saunders, a son, Bobby Lee Saunders and wife Jean; a daughter, Linda S. Story and husband Jimmy; a son, Bill Wayne Saunders and wife Linda, all of Suffolk; six grandchildren, Richard Lee Saunders wife Shannon, Tabitha Saunders and fianc\u00E9e Danny Miles Jr., Beth Saunders and Kenny Paul, Jessica Story Moore and husband Mike, Travis Story and fianc\u00E9e Ashley Brinkley, Taylor &uot;Precious&uot; Saunders; one great-grandson, Kenny Paul Jr.; a sister, Lottie S. O’Berry of Smithfield and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in death by a brother, Roy Junious Saunders and a niece, Mary Alice Saunders. The family would like to thank Helen Saunders for her special care given to Ben during his months of illness.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005 at the Sidney F. Harrell Chapel of Harrell and Hill Funeral Home by the Rev. Lisa R. Blackmonson and Hank Teague. Burial will be in the Windsor Cemetery. Friends may join the family at the funeral home from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and at other times at the residence. The family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Providence United Methodist Church Memorial Fund at 3105 Providence Road, Suffolk, VA, 23434 or to the CHKD Hospital, 601 Children Lane, Norfolk, VA, 23507.