Obituary of Mary Ann Saunders

Mary Ann Smith Saunders of Amarillo, Texas passed away on September 24, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the age of 90. She was born on October 21, 1931 to parents Eddison "Ted" Reeves Smith and Agnes Elaine Hargrove Smith in Livingston, Tennessee. Mary Ann went to school in Livingston and later became a cheerleader at Livingston Academy (local high school). While attending Tennessee Tech, she met and fell in love with Robert Lewis "Bobby" Saunders. They were married on April 3, 1952 at her sister, Betty Reeves' home in Lebanon, Tennessee. After being stationed in Japan while Bob was in the United States Air Force, they had three sons and eventually settled down in Amarillo, Texas. While being a homemaker and mother, Mary Ann earned her degree in education at West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M). Mary Ann was a lifelong educator. In her limited free time, she enjoyed volunteering with her church, First Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas, as a Sunday School & Vacation Bible School teacher, as well as helping to facilitate missions work by leading an intro to English program. Eventually, she began working as the Children's Ministries Director for First Baptist Church and held that position for over twenty-five years. Mary Ann was never more than 5' 2" and often referred to herself as the "runt of the family." She was also fondly called "Petey," a nickname given to her in childhood by her brother, John Hunter. Bobby never referred to her with any other name. In her free time, Mary Ann enjoyed gardening, reading, debating politics, watching college basketball (notably Duke Blue Devils!), playing board games (she was especially cunning in Sequence), and spending time with her grandchildren. No one made better spice cake or snickerdoodles. Without a doubt, her family counts her amongst the last Great Southern Ladies. Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Eddison and Agnes Smith; her husband, Robert Saunders; and eldest son, Thomas William Saunders III. She is survived by her two sons, Edwin Lewis Saunders of Portland, Texas and Andrew Nelson Saunders of Colorado Springs, Colorado; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made in Mary Ann's name to the Children's Ministries Department at First Baptist Church, Amarillo, Texas. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." --Psalm 119: 105 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only�" --James 1:22 Memorial Service, 11:00AM, Saturday, October 22, 2022, The Original Building at First Baptist Church Amarillo, 1208 South Tyler Street, Amarillo, Texas 79101. Events Memorial Service Saturday, October 22, 2022 11:00AM First Baptist Church Amarillo 1208 South Tyler Street Amarillo, TX 79101