Evelyn Grace (Willey) Saunders

One of seven children born to Ernest and Ruth Creveling Willey of Geneseo, NY, Evelyn was born in Portage, NY and raised in the Rochester, NY area before she married Edward Francis Saunders at age 18 in 1942. They raised four children before moving to Forest City, NC in 1964 when Ed accepted a position with a construction equipment sales firm. The following year they moved to Charlotte, eventually arriving at their permanent home at 6611 Sunview Drive around 1970.

Evelyn and Ed were lifelong members of the United Methodist Church. She was active in UMC groups especially ‘Ruth’s Circle’ and ‘Harvesters’ and actively participated in many Bible study programs.

She was a lover of growing flowers and gardening, and enjoyed reading her mystery novels and listening to country, gospel and spiritual music. She will always be known as the family correspondent and historian and for her unfailing smile.

Evelyn is survived by sons Theodore (Ted) and his wife Linda of Warrenton, VA and Timothy (Tim) of Salisbury, NC; grandchildren Joel Saunders of Huddleston, VA, Craig Saunders of Celina, TX, Blake Mitchell of Charlotte, NC, Braydon Mitchell of Huntersville, NC, Amy Saunders of Huntersville, NC, Steven Saunders of Greensboro, NC and Kristen Lapke of Astoria, NY and great grandchildren Emma Saunders of Virginia Beach, VA, Sophie and Charlie Saunders of Celina, TX and Campbell Reid Lapke of Astoria, NY.

Siblings Frances Lipson of Conesus, NY and Gerald Willey of Geneseo, NY also survive her.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, husband Ed (2000), son Terrance (2013), daughter Tina (2020) and siblings Joyce Willey, Lucille Johnson, Vivian Blair and Gordon Willey.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at St. Andrews United Methodist Church located at 1901 Archdale Drive in Charlotte, NC.

** All floral deliveries should be made directly to the church.