Alice Marquerite Nelson Saunders

Marguerite Nelson Saunders, 93, of Altavista passed away at Autumn Care of Altavista Wednesday, January 15, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Richard James Saunders who died in 1971. She was born July 10, 1920 in Halifax County, a daughter of the late James Clarence Nelson and Alice Crute Nelson. Marguerite loved her family, church, and community. She lived in the Washington, DC area for approximately thirty years where she and her husband Richard raised their children. After retiring from Sears, she returned to Altavista to care for her mother. Marguerite was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was known by many in the community as the lady who would do sewing and alterations. You could always get a cup of coffee and something sweet when you came to her home. Her family will have many treasured memories of her sweet smile and loving ways. She is survived by a son, Richard Saunders, Jr. and his wife Jan of Waldorf, MD; four daughters, Carol Willis and her husband Ken of Lynchburg, Diane Kersey of Altavista, Darlene Allegro and her husband Giordano of Oakland, CA, and Catherine Nicholson and her husband Nick of Morrow, GA; a sister, Nancy N. Hicks of Altavista; fourteen grandchildren, Spencer Brown and his wife Karey, Cristy Lecik and her husband Barry, Dustin Mentis, Melissa Martin and her husband Mark, Angela Hinebrick, William Joseph Hinebrick, Christalynn Duff, Isabella Allegro, Jordan Allegro, Jessica Saunders, Nickie Nicholson, Shelton Nicholson, Jr., Donnalise Nicholson, and Julian Nicholson; eleven great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. She was preceded in death by three brothers, James, Marvin, and Earle Nelson; and a sister, Frances N. Campbell. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 17, 2014 at Central Baptist Church by the Rev. Michael Duncan, Jr. with interment to follow in Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday at Finch and Finch Funeral and Cremation Service, Altavista and other times at the residence of her sister, Nancy Hicks, 1404 Bedford Ave., Altavista. The family suggests that those wishing to make memorials consider Central Baptist Church, PO Box 387, Altavista, VA 24517.

Alice Marquerite Nelson Saunders

July 10, 1920 - January 15, 2014