It is with heavy hearts that our beloved Elizabeth Mary “Liz” Saunders of Greenwood, Florida passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida.
She has been in Gainesville for the past four years in a memory unit near her brother, Wayne Davis. Elizabeth was born in Ocala, Florida on April 16, 1939. She graduated from Ocala High School in 1957. While attending the University of Florida she met her husband, Charles Alfred Saunders. They married on her twenty-first birthday in Ocala, Florida on April 16, 1960. After 20 years of marriage they adopted a wonderful girl at birth, Rosalind Renee Saunders.
Liz graduated from Florida State University with three degrees. The first one being a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1962, also a Master of Education in Reading Education in 1973, and a Doctorate of School Administration in 1989. She used her knowledge while teaching in the Jackson County school system for many years. Liz enjoyed teaching children how to learn to read. That was her specialty.
As she was growing up Liz became the first leader of Rainbow Girls and later the Eastern Star of the Masonic Order for many years. Liz was a member of First Baptist Church in Marianna where she was involved with the adult choir and a very prolific woman talented piano player. Liz had a strong faith in God and loved Jesus.
Liz was a very active volunteer with the “Pink Ladies” at Jackson Hospital in Marianna, Florida for over 20 years. You might say she became a pink lady because she always wore pink. She loved anything pink!
She was predeceased by her parents: Charlie Clarence and Carol Virginia Davis, and her husband, Charles Saunders.
Liz is survived by her daughter, Rosalind (Renee) Roberts; siblings, Charlie Wayne Davis (Susie), and a younger sister, Evelyn Smith; grandchildren, Hendrix Peel, Morgan Peel, Abigail Roberts; nieces and nephews, Michael Smith (Parisa), Michelle Smith Miller (Ross); Steve Davis (Stacey); and many other friends and family who loved her dearly.
Funeral Services will be 2 PM, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel with Rev. Vince Smith officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at 1 PM. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.
Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.jamesandsikesfuneralhomes.com
