On Sunday, April 17, 2011, the soul of Owen Alexander Saunders was reclaimed by god, Our Heavenly Father, in His own infinite wisdom. Owen was born January 29, 1921 in Bluefield, West Virginia. He was educated in the Bluefield School System and received his Diploma from Genoa High School. After graduation, he entered the United States Army where he served during WWII until receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1946. He lived in Washington, D.C. for several years before settling in Bedford, Virginia where he worked as an Orderly for Bedford Memorial Hospital until his retirement. He was a lifetime member of Lovely Zion Baptist Church where he faithfully served as Director of the Lovely Zion Gospel Chorus for more than 40 years. Owen was dedicated to his church and his choir or his "Children", as he affectionately referred to the members of the chorus. Each year he took the entire group out to dinner for fellowship and celebration. Throughout his reign as Director, he gave generously to the Chorus. They never wanted for anything when he didn't graciously give. He will be sorely missed by them all. Owen was preceded in death by his father Jesse Lee Saunders, and mother, Ada Buster George Saunders; five brothers, Estel Saunders, James Saunders, Jesse Saunders, Jr., Warren Saunders and Oliver Saunders; two sisters, Thelma Saunders Brown and Louise Elizabeth Saunders Owens; two nieces, Barbara Owens and Mabel Princess Ann Owens Thompson; and one nephew, Walter Brown, Jr. He leaves to mourn his loss, one nephew, Robert Owens, Jr. of Tampa, FL, two nieces, Wanda Brown Rainbow and Diane Brown Funderberg, both of Youngstown, OH; two godsons, Malcolm Owens and Martin Owens of Lynchburg, VA, and a dear and devoted friend, Ms. Dorothy Polk, of Bedford, VA. In addition, Owen had many wonderful relatives and friends, including the Lovely Zion Baptist Church Family.