Dorothy Lee Saunders

Dorothy “Dot” Saunders, 99, of Vinton, entered her heavenly home on Sunday, August 21, 2022. She was born August 19, 1923 in Bedford County, the second of nine children born to her parents, Walter and Betty Lynch Thomas. She graduated from Stewartsville High School in 1941. She married Glenn Saunders on August 16, 1941. After the last of her five children was born she attended Virginia Southern College and went on to retire from Roanoke City Police Department Youth Bureau.

She was predeceased by her husband, Glenn Saunders; parents, Walter and Betty Lynch Thomas; son, Kenneth Dale Saunders; grandson, Chad Lewis Manning; daughters-in-law, Jo Ann Saunders and Marie Saunders; son-in-law, Billy Hager; granddaughter, Michelle Saunders Mattox; brothers, James Thomas and Whitey Thomas; sisters, Cathryn Wooldridge, Nellie Basham, Ruby Jean Gardner, and Nancy Wilkes; nephew, Mark Wilkes; niece, Sharon Basham, and step-grandson, Robert Watson.

Dot is survived by sons, Roger Saunders (Mary) and Garry Saunders; daughters, Brenda Hager and Linda Harlow (Tim); sisters, Becky Meador (Bobby), and Betty Sue Sink; grandchildren, Debbie Seckinger (Mark), Janet Saunders (Bob), Marcia Patterson (Dane), Garry Lee, Kevin (Jamie), Tessa (Ryan), Katie Williamson, Brooke (Chase), and Brittany; great-grandchildren, Katie and Jenna Seckinger, Morgan Edberg (Jacob), Evan and Jacob Nicely, Logan Patterson (Meredith), Haley Katlin, Ashlyn, Ryan, Emily, Sara, Charlie, Jack, Sam, Remi, Evan, Caleb, Dylan, Haley, and Brayden; step-grandson, Roger Huffman; great-great grandchildren, McKinley and Bayleigh. Grandma Dot was notorious for leaving red lipstick kisses on the cheeks of her grandchildren, much to the chagrin of the little boys in the family.

Dot was devoted to her family and her church family. She was proud of all her grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them and attending family get-togethers. She was a long time member of Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church, attending faithfully as long as her health permitted. She was active in taking her friends to appointments, shopping, and anywhere they needed to go. She had compassion and caring ways. Dot was well known for her daily walks around her neighborhood. Her favorite expression while watching the sunset was “Vinton is God’s Country”.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 25, 2022 at Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church with Pastor John Hemming officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 from 5-8 PM at Lotz Funeral Home in Vinton. Online condolences may be made at www.lotzfuneralhomevinton.com

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