Linda J. Saunders

Linda was born in Reidsville, Ga., on Jan. 28, 1942, daughter of Jack and Mildred (Bowen) Davis. She was raised in Reidsville and attended Reidsville Schools.

Linda married Jon Saunders in Jacksonville, Fla., on Aug. 24, 1981.

She worked as a dietician at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville for 26 years until her retirement in 1996.

Linda loved to sew, cross stitch and she especially enjoyed traveling. Her true love was her family, especially her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Linda’s love and loyalty to her family was legendary.

In addition to her husband, Jon, Linda is survived by her children, Cathy Prottengeier of Puyallup, Wash., Kelly (Raul) Garcia of Lakeland Ga., and Kim (Carlton) Covin of Jacksonville, Fla.; stepchildren, Terry (Hildie) Saunders of Escanaba, Kaye Saunders of Hernando, Fla., Karen (Joe) Kezele of Ameek, Mich., Thomas (Gary) Saunders of Columbus Ohio, Robert (Pamela) Saunders of St. Charles, Mich., and Jon (Mary) Saunders Jr. of Junction City, Wis.; 16 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson; siblings, Angela (Will) Burgess of Palo Alto, Calif., Claudette (Billy) Collins of Reidsville, Ga., Rebecca (Harold) Beylotte of Charleston, S.C., and Jack (Gina) Davis of Crawfordsville, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Gregory Saunders and grandson, Paul Garcia.

Visitation will be held at St. Anne’s Parish on Friday, Jan. 26, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The Funeral Mass will be at noon with Rev. Fran DeGroot officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Vincent de Paul. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Saunders family.