Grace Ellen Saunders

"Miss Ellen" Ellen Saunders, 82, died peacefully on Monday August 3, 2020 at Hospice House of Williamsburg surrounded by her family. Born Grace Ellen Thrift on November 28, 1937 in Hyacinth, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Elwood Silas Thrift, Sr. and Lucy Dolly Dawson Thrift. She was the devoted wife of 64 years to William Arold Saunders, Sr. and a loving mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings, Lucy, Norman and Elwood, Jr. Known to her community as the beloved “Miss Ellen”, she was a musician, author, entrepreneur, and a childcare provider for over 40 years. Graduating from Northumberland High School she played trumpet, sang in the Virginia All State Chorus, played basketball and softball, was a swim instructor and cheerleader. In addition to raising five children of her own she cared for a multitude of others and claimed them as family. She was recognized in 2001 for her great contribution to the Williamsburg community for 30 years of service and as Best Family Childcare Provider in Williamsburg by the Child Caring Connection. She touched hundreds if not thousands of lives in positive ways. She made this world a better place for so many. She will be dearly missed. Ellen is survived by her husband; her sisters, Peggy Peery and Sterling Sullivan; her children, Demetra Saunders (Brian), Kim Enroughty (Chris), Kathy Looney (Michael), Peggy Wahlstrom (Kevin), and William Saunders, Jr. (Jan); her grandchildren, Amy, Joe, and Adam Saunders, Matthew and Michael Enroughty, Cole Sanderson, Hunter, Drew, Ginger and Jacob Looney. The family will receive friends on August 19 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd, Williamsburg, Virginia. Due to Covid-19 the funeral home requests that masks be worn for everyone’s safety. A private service will be held with her husband and children and posted on the Nelsen Williamsburg Facebook Page for family and friends to view. The family would like to give a special thanks to the Hospice House of Williamsburg and its staff for their supportive care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to the Hospice House of Williamsburg (https://williamsburghospice.org/donate/) in memory of Grace Ellen Saunders. Condolences may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.