Eugene Saunders

Eugene Saunders, 95 years young, of Athens, TX, passed of congestive heart failure on November 12, 2023. He was born in Pinson Fork, KY, Pike County on October 13, 1928 to Elijah & Sally (May) Saunders.

Eugene attended a country school thru the 8th grade before going to work on the family farm. As an adult, he mined coal before moving to Texas in 1951. While residing in Texas, he worked in commercial upholstery before retiring to Athens to farm and raise cattle. Eugene was preceded in death by spouse, Beulah Maxine (Perry); infant daughter, Paula Ann; infant son, Michael Roland; Siamese cat, Mickey; and many more beloved family members.

He is survived by daughter, Patricia Shilen (Douglas); son, Freddie Eugene Saunders Sr. (Leslie); son, Johnny Ray Saunders; grandchildren, Freddie Saunders Jr., Alicia Reindollar, Rachel Saunders, Justin (Brittany) Saunders, Joshua (Hollie) Saunders, Jessica (Michael) Cramer; great-grandchildren, Emily Lazarte, Austin Jackson, Wayne Tyler Manzanares (Irving) Pheebe Jackson and Ashlyn Saunders; great-great-grandchildren, Braelyn, Zyler, Austin Jr., Aaron and Ashtin. His family and friends meant the world to him as he did to them. Eugene never met a strange and never spoke a bad word about anyone.

He enjoyed fishing, camping and the great outdoors. He will always be remembered for his loving nature, childhood stories, life lessons he taught us all and his love for his savior, Jesus. We couldn’t have ask for a better parent and will miss Pop everyday of our lives.