Marjorie Charlotte Wilson Saunders

Marjorie Charlotte Wilson Saunders, at the age of 104, departed this life Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2:17 am with her daughter at her bedside. She was the last surviving child (the youngest daughter of ten children) of the late Thomas Graham Wilson, Sr., and Mary Virginia Tinsley Wilson in Charles City, Virginia. The first seven years of her education were received in a one-room school (Waterloo School), taught by her mother (a homemaker, seamstress, and teacher). Her father, who migrated from Asheville, North Carolina, and was employed as a machine riveter for the Newport News Shipyard, provided the home and farm life. At the conclusion of her designated time on the mourner’s bench, she became a member of Union Baptist Church in Charles City. Later, she joined Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia. At Moore Street, she was a regular member and soloist of the Sanctuary Choir. After graduating valedictorian from Ruthville High School (now Charles City County High School), she received a scholarship to attend Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), where she graduated with a degree in Business Administration. Later, she received a Master's Degree in Business Education from New York University. In marriage to James Robert Saunders, Sr., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (a World War II and Korean War Veteran), she gave birth to a son and daughter (Jimmy and Marjory May). She settled in Richmond, Virginia (the birthplace of her mother) and commenced to embrace a career teaching business at Maggie L. Walker and George Wythe High Schools for twenty-nine years. In both northern and southern states, she had the opportunity to apply her clerical and office management skills as a bookkeeper and secretary. Prior to coming to Richmond Public Schools, she was employed by North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company in Wilmington, North Carolina, Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, I.R.S. Audit Department in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the National Headquarters of the Protestant Episcopal Church in New York City. She was a member of the Virginia Business Association, Richmond Education Association, National Education Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Upon retirement, she returned to her love of music, singing in the church choir, and studying private piano and voice lessons, reading and studying the bible, reading and reflecting on great works of poetry and words of wisdom, while adding the practice of yoga and tai chi. Of course, before the challenges with mobility, her greatest source of joy was traveling and visiting with her children and granddaughter, as well as communing with and relishing the support of close colleagues, former students, friends, and relatives. She cherished the family visits and communication with nieces and nephews. And, her long lasting friendship with Eugene McKinley Spellman, Rev. Janice Corbett, and Louise Bassett brought her great joy. She leaves behind two devoted children, Marjory May and James Robert, Jr., (Renae), one grandchild (Monica), and two great-grandchildren (River Rayne and Jude). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Woodland Cemetery Restoration Fund.

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Marjorie Charlotte Wilson Saunders

April 15, 1920 - March 16, 2025