Obituary of Judy Arleen Saunders

After living a life full of adventures, love, and selfless acts, Judy A. Saunders, 74, of Battle Creek, finished her work here on November 6, 2021, at her home, and joined a host of her loved ones in Heaven. She was born to the late William and Rhoda (West) Phillips on September 15, 1947, the youngest baby girl of the family. A 1965 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School, Judy transitioned from school to working at an insurance agency. Shortly after graduating she married her sweetheart, Charles Saunders, Jr. on March 1, 1969, and their adventure began. Unless one of them was at work, you always saw them together. Growing up in a family that enjoyed cars and auto racing, Sonny and Judy often went to swap meets, races, and traveled often to Ludington where they would ride up and down the dunes with their buggy. Life became even sweeter when they were blessed with their son, Chuck. If there ever was a perfect family, it was them. Anyone walking into their house, sitting next to them at church, or if they shared a meal could attest to the love they shared and that they were always holding hands. Judy often remarked that she and Sonny never had an argument, and she had been given such a gift when Chuck was born. Through the years, Judy enjoyed NASCAR, taking the 55 Chevy that she and Sonny restored together to car shows, and gatherings that involved family. Judy was a woman who gave of herself, all of the time. She was a caretaker to many, and was known for her sweet disposition, and heart that knew no bounds, which resulted in an “adopted” daughter, and grandchildren. Judy was a woman of faith, not flamboyant in nature, that wasn’t her style; but rest assured, if you were part of her life, she prayed for you often and her life was a testimony to God’s unwavering love that she shared so beautifully. Preceding Judy in passing are her parents, William & Rhoda Phillips; her baby brother, William; her sister, Patsy Chase; mother-in-law, Maxine Saunders; and father-in-law Charles Saunders, Sr. She is survived by her adoring husband, Charles “Sonny” Saunders of Battle Creek; son, Chuck Saunders, III of Battle Creek; daughter, Mandy Rodriguez, of Niles; sister, Bonnie White of Pahrump, Nevada; special niece, Lori Phillips of Augusta, Michigan; special nephews, Crandall (Shawn) Chase of Bellevue, Michigan and Dannie White of Henderson, Nevada; grandsons, Brennan (Nicole) Rodriguez of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Tyler Rodriguez of Niles; and great-nieces, Emmalee White and Lindsey (Alex) Walter. Those wishing to make a memorial donation have been asked to consider Hospice of Southwest Michigan, 7100 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Services to celebrate Judy’s life will be Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at New Hope Apostolic Church, 6922 E Dr. N, Battle Creek, MI 49014, which she was a member of, at 1:00 P.M. with a time of visitation beginning at 11:00 A.M. Interment will take place at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens.