Billie Ann Saunders

Billie Ann (Atkinson) Saunders, 79, of Gastonia passed peacefully at Peak Resources in Cherryville, surrounded by her loving family, Friday July 21, 2023. Billie Ann was a committed Christian and a longtime active member of Firestone Wesleyan Church in Gastonia. She was a member of Gideon’s International. She loved her family. She enjoyed shopping, traveling, and spending time with her family. She retired from Danaher Tool Group. Billie Ann loved her cats – Garfield and Callie. Many loved her and she will be dearly missed.

In addition to her parents, her loving husband, David “Joe” Saunders, who passed away in November 2021, precedes her in death.

She is survived by her daughters, Crystal (Bragg) Duncan (Scott) and Michelle (Bragg) Barnette (Mike) and son, Earl Scott Bragg (Tonya). Her grandchildren are, Brian Burgess, Brandon Burgess, Robert “Bobby” Lemmons (Stephanie), Taylor Lyman (MariBeth), Kyle Rice (Doreen), Richard “Scottie” Bragg and Kristin Rice. Great-grandchildren are, Lawson Burgess, Emma Burgess, Iris Lemmons, Abe Rice and Kendall Rice. She leaves behind her aunts Helen Pettit and Maxine Wallace. Her best friends were, Collette Walker, Shirley McGinnis, Diane Johnson and Maureen and David Fisher.

A celebration of Billie Ann’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday July 24, 2023 at Billie Ann’s home church, Firestone Wesleyan, 1700 Union Road, Gastonia, North Carolina. The family will receive friends one hour before the service, beginning at 1:00 pm, at the church. Burial will follow at Gaston Memorial Park. Pastor Don Avore will officiate. Her friends from church will be her pallbearers.

Fond memories of Billie Ann and condolences for the family may be left at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Billie Ann’s name to Firestone Wesleyan Church, 1700 Union Road, Gastonia, NC 28054 or www.firestonewesleyan.org.

The staff of Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is honored to serve the Saunders Family.