Obituaries

Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins Saunders

Elizabeth Watkins Saunders, age 89, passed away on March 7, 2026, at Westminster Canterbury Richmond. Elizabeth is survived by her son, Barry Saunders, Jr. (Emilie); her daughters, Leslie Saunders Williford and Stepheny Saunders James (Allen); her grandchildren, Ellie Saunders Sibiga (Tommy), Luke Saunders (Sarah Lynn), Grace Williford Magyar (Brian), Mary Vaughan Williford Brown (Morgan), Timothy James (Lauren), Joshua James (Cary-Grace) and Peter James; as well as 13 great-grandchildren; her brother, Stephen Eugene Watkins, Jr. (Catherine); and many nieces and nephews. Elizabeth is predeceased by her husband, Barry Eugene Saunders, Sr.; her parents, Stephen Eugene Watkins and Courtney Mason Watkins; and a son-in-law James Archie “Jim” Williford. Betty Jean (BJ) grew up in South Hill, VA, and attended St Mary’s School in Raleigh, Smithdeal-Massey Business College in Richmond, and Westhampton College of the University of Richmond, where she met her husband of 61 years, Barry (a fellow Spider). They raised their family in Richmond where BJ also served, at times, as Barry’s secretary in his CPA practice. She enjoyed friendship, fellowship and community service through membership in the Dunlora Women’s Club, the Tuckahoe Women’s Club, and the Heartstrings Music Ministry. BJ (or BeBe to her grandchildren and great grandchildren) loved to make her home beautiful and practiced gracious, southern hospitality. The family shares many memories of church friendships and activities, beach vacations, and, always and most dearly, summer days spent at Bugg’s Island Lake. BJ loved dressing with fashion and elegance and enjoyed serving as a coordinator for weddings. Long-time members of Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church and, later, Third Church, BJ and Barry both left an inheritance of honoring God through reading His Word and in prayer. Their morning list for whom they interceded lasted long past their coffee had cooled. The family particularly would like to thank Bev Southward and Jean Britt for their faithful friendship and tender care towards BJ for almost a decade, especially in this past year and her final days of earthly life. We also extend gratitude to the team at Westminster Canterbury Richmond for their expertise, service, support, and kindness over BJ’s years of residence. Contributions in BJ’s memory can be made to: Westminster Canterbury Richmond, ATTN: Employee Appreciation Fund (1600 Westbrook Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227) or Bethesda Baptist Church (1614 Buggs Island Road, Boydton, VA 23917). A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 11:00 am at Bethesda Baptist Church Cemetery with reception at the church to follow. Crowder–Hite–Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Saunders family. Online condolences may be made through our website: www.crowderhitecrews.com.