Marjorie Helene Saunders (Keesler), 87, died on September 15, 2025 at her home in Ashland City, TN. Marji was born on April 16, 1938 to the late Wilmer Keesler and Helen Keesler (Berg) of Stony Point, NY.
She graduated from Haverstraw High School and went on to attend Ladycliff College, adjacent to the USMA at West Point, where she studied to be a teacher until putting that plan on hold to raise a family. She went on decades later to complete her degree, just before Ladycliff closed its doors, and become an English teacher. The former site of Ladycliff now serves as the USMA Welcome Center and Museum.
She also worked for several years as office manager of a podiatrist’s office in Birmingham, AL. In addition, she was a talented seamstress, with projects including clothing for her children, uniforms for majorette and cheerleader squads at Jemison High School (AL), quilts, and costumes for a local community theater in Tennessee. She was also a talented painter and craftswoman.
She is survived by her sister, Maryellen Gonyea; children, Leah Thomas of Panama City Beach, FL, Charley Saunders and his wife, Cristina, of Vestavia Hills, AL, Mark Saunders of Mobile, AL, Paul Saunders and his wife, Missy, of Indian Trail NC, Ruth Saunders of San Francisco, CA, and Robyn Saunders of Ashland City, TN; grandchildren Justin Thomas and his wife, Kelsey, Eric Flanagan, Hunter Thomas, Nicholas Saunders, and Charlie Saunders; great-grandchildren Lyla and Tydus Thomas.
In addition, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Saunders, Sr., a brother, Cary Keesler, and son-in-law, Shawn Thomas. There will not be a formal service, but the family encourages friends and family to celebrate her life in their own way. Memorial donations in Marji’s honor may be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
This obituary was published by Boyd Funeral Home.
This obituary was published by Obituaries provided free for the community.
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