Rachel Saunders Markham

Rachel Saunders Markham, 80, of Lynchburg, died Tuesday, April 27, 2010, in Lynchburg. She was the wife of the late Elmer Hayden Markham.

Born on Saturday, March 1, 1930 in Lynchburg, Rachel was a daughter of the late John Wesley Saunders and Hallie Goodman Saunders.

In addition to her parents, Rachel was preceded in death by a brother, Maurice Wesley Saunders, and two sisters, Joyce Creasy and Ruth Hudson.

Rachel is survived by her son, Michael Lee Markham, two brothers, James Saunders and his wife, Frances, of Lynchburg, and Jonathan Saunders and his wife, Janice, of Summerton, SC; a sister, Rebecca Downey and her husband, Aubrey, of Lynchburg, a brother-in-law, Stuart Markham, of Lynchburg, a sister-in-law, Dorothy Garrett, of Lynchburg, and a special friend, Bob Tindall of Medina, Ohio.

Rachel was a very patient and caring person. She loved her family, flowers and animals, especially cats. She was proud of the fact that she graduated from New London Academy.  She attended Lynchburg College and graduated from Lynchburg General\"™s Professional School of Nursing, which led to a lifelong career as a nurse at Lynchburg General. Rachel loved tracing her family through her work with genealogy, and was a member of Keystone Baptist Church. Rachel always felt blessed by the many people that helped her through life\"™s journey.

The family will receive friends today from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Thursday, April 29, 2010, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A funeral service will be held Friday, April 30, 2010 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Tharp Funeral Home with Dr. J. Monty Fox officiating. Burial will follow in Virginia Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Keystone Baptist Church Building Fund, 212 Fleetwood Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502.

The family would like to thank Dr. John Halpin, Dr. Robert Bass, Dr. Lewis Dabney and their staffs for the loving care they provided Rachel.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, 434-237-9424.