A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Ruth’s life was centered on her love for God and her family. One of her greatest accomplishments, apart from raising her own family, was teaching children about God’s love through Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Ruth was also a wonderful cook who delighted in family gatherings and treasured every opportunity to spend time with her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edker “Dick” Saunders; her children, Thomas “Tommy” Moore, Vivian Mancini, and Bryan James; and her stepchildren, Edker “Ed” Saunders Jr. and Michael “Mike” Saunders.
She is survived by her daughters, Kathleen/Dennis (“Peanut”) Leggette, and Patricia/Donny Hoggard; her stepchildren, Timothy/Jean Saunders, Richard (“Rick”)/Diane Saunders, and Bonnie Breedlove/Tim Breedlove; 20 grandchildren,15 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Though she will be deeply missed, Ruth leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith in God and a lifetime of love and devotion to her family.
The family will welcome friends and loved ones for a visitation on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 11:00am, located at Parklawn Memorial Park, 2551 North Armistead Avenue Hampton, Virginia 23666, in the mausoleum chapel. A celebration of life in Ruth's honor will follow the visitation at 12:00pm, located at Parklawn Memorial Park's mausoleum chapel, and the burial will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park at 1:00pm.
