Mr. James Ricky Saunders, age 62, of the Lynn Springs section of Swords Creek, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on Friday (April 2, 2021) in a Richlands, Virginia hospital. Born October 12, 1958 in Richlands, Virginia, he was a son of the late Stanley Bud and Ellen Cora Plaster Saunders. A lifelong resident of the area, he was a disabled coal miner, having over twenty years of service and a member of the United Mine Workers of America. A devoted Christian, he was a faithful member of Word of Victory Fellowship at Elk Garden, Virginia, where he served as a greeter and was a very active volunteer with their food bank ministry. He had a servant’s heart and was always willing to help others in need. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, doing mechanic work and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Wayne Saunders and Dave Saunders and three sisters, Faye Shelton, Gwen Price and Sharon Wicks.
Survivors include his wife of forty-one years, Carolyn Dean Saunders of the home; three children, Sarah Saunders, Tina Saunders Casey and husband, Roger and Jeremy Saunders and wife, Amy all of Swords Creek, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Kendra Casey, Cade Saunders, Landon Casey, Lucas Saunders, Julianna Saunders, Corbin Saunders and Noah Saunders; two brothers, Frazier Saunders and Steve Saunders and two sisters, Debbie Horne and Sandy Osborne; his father-in-law, Worley Dye and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 PM Wednesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Rod Wicker officiating. Entombment will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Virginia.
Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends after 6 PM Tuesday at Honaker Funeral Home where an evening service will be conducted at 7 PM.
Due to COVID restrictions mandated by the governor, a mask is required.