Barbara E. (Estep) Saunders

By | February 11, 2021

Barbara E. (Estep) Saunders, age 90, of Oak Hill, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021 at Hill View Retirement Center in Portsmouth.  She was born June 24, 1930 in Endicott, New York to the late Cecil R. Estep and Alice E. (Gordon) Estep Fluharty.

She is survived by her children, Gregory R. (Diana) Saunders, of Oak Hill, Shela “Dianne” (Tom) Davies, of Clinton Township, MI, Laura B. (William ,“Junior”) Williams, of New Boston, Ohio, Jody B. (Jill) Saunders, of Oak Hill, and Stewart H. (Kimberly J.) Saunders, of Westland, MI.  Also surviving are her 11 grandchildren; Linda, Amy, Brandi, Hannah, Amanda, Aaron, Dustin, Lacie, Josh, Lindsey and Jordan; 23 great-grandchildren; and half brother, Bucky “Gordon” Fluharty.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of almost 54 years, Beecher Saunders; grandson, Tommy Davies; brother, Cecil Estep Jr.; sister, Elaine M. Smith; and step father, Gordon Fluharty.    

Barbara was a graduate of Union-Endicott High School in New York.  She met the love of her life, Beecher Saunders at a movie theatre in 1947.  Three months later on Nov. 8, 1947, they married in New York and then moved back to Oak Hill where they had their children.  After raising her children, she went back to college and obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Rio Grande University.  She taught college accounting at Buckeye Hills Career Center.  She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church.  She also attended the Oak Hill Evangelical Church.

Friends may call Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Oak Hill.  Funeral services will immediately follow at 10 a.m. with Pastor Stan Howard officiating.  Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery in Oak Hill. 

Per CDC guidelines and governor recommendations, everyone is required to wear a mask and practice proper social distancing protocols.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Hill View Retirement Community, 1610 28th St., Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.  Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com.