J. Franklin Saunders

Jonah Franklin Saunders (87) passed away a little after 5 PM on Friday, February 5, 2010 at the Carolina Medical Center, NE, in Concord, North Carolina after an extended illness. Franklin was the son of Jonah Webster and Fannie Reynolds Saunders. He was born at his parents' house in the Love Joy community outside Troy, NC, on July 11, 1922. Except for his time in the armed forces, he lived his entire life in that same house until he went to live his last two years at Autumn Care of Biscoe. Franklin was a veteran of WWII and fought in the famed "Battle of the Bulge". He received the telegram notifying him of the death of his first son while fighting in Europe. His son only lived a few hours. Franklin was a lifelong member of First Wesleyan Church in Troy and sang in the bass section of the choir for most of his adult life. For most of his working life, Franklin was a master cabinet maker. Many homes in Montgomery County and the surrounding area and as far away as Indiana have cabinets or furniture crafted in the shop behind his home. He was married to the late Mary Louise Keller Saunders for whom he provided personal care for the last years Mary lived as an invalid. Together they had three children, the late Lawrence Franklin Saunders of Troy, Phyllis Carol Hedges of Ringgold, Georgia, and the late Earl Keith Saunders of Troy. In addition, he is survived by 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at Pugh Funeral Home in Troy from 3-6 PM on Sunday, February 7, 2010. The funeral will be at the First Wesleyan Church in Troy at 11 AM on Monday, February 8, officiated by the Reverend Jeff Ray. Burial with military honors provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard will follow in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Wesleyan Church, "Franklin Saunders Fund", 1368 NC Hwy 134N, Troy, NC 27371 Arrangements by Pugh-Troy Funeral Home