Carl Eugene Saunders

Carl Eugene Saunders, 87, of Lynchburg, Virginia passed away on January 26, 2025. He was the son of the late William Henry and Thelma Goad Saunders.

Carl was born on July 19,1937, in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was raised in the village of Reusens. After graduating from E.C. Glass High School, he pursued his lifelong career as a partner and business owner in the masonry industry, retiring after forty-one years. Carl served in the Army National Guard for over 17 years, ending his military career as a Master Seargent E8. He was a Freemason and achieved over 50 years of membership of the Scottish Rite of Freemasons and the Masonic Lodge.

Carl always said he was a student of “life” and when one graduates the diploma should read, “Well Done Good and Faithful Servant.” He noted obtaining this diploma requires just that, being a good and faithful servant. There is no final exam, it is earned through practical work throughout a lifetime.

Carl began his service of the Lord at Reusens Church when joining in August of 1947. He did his first teaching in 1951 when asked to teach the eight to ten year old class. From that point on, he spent a lifetime serving and teaching others. He joined the Boonsboro Charge and remained an active member of Boonsboro United Methodist Church. He served on church counsel, taught Sunday school classes and bible studies, and led the Boonsboro Youth Group with his beloved wife, Judy. He was the proud founder of the Sunday Lighthouse Ministry. As their family grew, Carl and Judy enjoyed worshiping with their family at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and ultimately transferred their membership in July of 2023.

Carl was an avid reader and spent countless hours writing short stories and poems with a focus on his upbringing in the village of Reusens. He often reflected on life’s lessons found in the everyday or even mundane and shared how God reveals lessons, hope, faith and miracles in every aspect of life. He was an artistic soul and loved creating small painted figurines of melted metals that were given freely as gifts. Carl loved life but most of all, after his love for God was his love of his family. 

Carl is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Judith M. Saunders; his daughter, Grayson Saunders Elbrecht (Chris); and his adored grandchildren, Addison Gray Saunders Elbrecht, Katelyn Elbrecht McMillian (Clay) and Jacob C. Elbrecht.

In addition to his parents, Carl is preceded in death by his two sisters, Loretta Cheatham and Gloria McFadden; his son, Carl Eugene Saunders, Jr.; and his beloved mother-in-law, Helen J. Morris.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. A reception will follow the service

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Memory of Carl E. Saunders, 1000 Langhorne Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit www.tharpfuneralhome.com