Marie Gay Saunders

Doerun, GA- Marie Gay Saunders, 83, of Doerun died June 4, 2022 at her home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Doerun, Georgia with Dr. David Benton, Reverend Travis Gay, and Dr. Mitchell Kimbrell officiating. The family will receive friends for 1 hour before the service. A private family interment will follow at Doerun Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her six grandchildren. She was born September 23, 1938 in Colquitt County to Walter Earlie Gay and Ocie Dell Tate Gay. She attended Doerun School and graduated from Doerun High School in 1956. She then attended Business School before beginning work at Spence Field. On October 12, 1958 she married James Rayburn (Ray) Saunders of Doerun. They had two children: Judy Saunders Mobley (Mark) and James (Jim) Rayburn Saunders, Jr (Lisa). She later became grandmother to John Mark Mobley (Rebecca), Matt Mobley (Genna), Tyler Mobley (Lindsay), Daniel Mobley, Jay Saunders and Anna Marie Saunders and Great-Grandmother to Elle Marie, James, Jack, Kate Marie, Ruby, Mary Tyler, Madeline, and William Mobley. She is survived by a sister, Mervin Brown, a brother, Merle Gay (Dianne), sisters-in-law, Imogean Gay, Betty Weeks (Charles), and Sue Saunders, and brother-in-law, Jerry Kimbrell and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-one years, Ray, her parents, her in-laws Frank and Ruby Lee Saunders, her sisters Martha Taylor (Mack) and Myra Kimbrell, her brother Max Gay, her brothers-in-law George Saunders and Carol Brown and her great-granddaughter, Olivia Mobley. She loved the Doerun community and her church. At First Baptist she filled many roles especially enjoying her time as Children’s Sunday School teacher and choir member. She also faithfully attended the Ladies Community Bible Study in Moultrie for years and cherished the friendships and good teaching she found there. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and sister, Martha, having fun with her close childhood friends, fishing with her lake buddies, and listening to her great nephew, Parker, play the piano and organ. After her children were grown, she worked as City Clerk of Doerun for over twenty-five years. She loved the staff that she served with and the people of Doerun. She looked forward to the Doerun May Day Celebration every year. She served on the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library Board and was especially pleased when Doerun built its beautiful library branch. Perhaps her greatest legacy was her large, loving family. She could make each person feel special with her kindness, gentleness, and her unconditional love. She never thought of herself but always put others first. She was a devoted wife and mother. She was an excellent homemaker. Her cooking was renown, and her dishes were greatly sought after at family functions. But the role of grandmother and great-grandmother, being affectionately known as “Re”, brought her the most joy. When her grandchildren were small, every Friday night was known as “Re’s Night”. As they grew up, she and Papa Ray followed their sporting events never missing a Packer football or baseball game. When the great grandchildren arrived, she treasured that time as well. She would visit from house to house always bringing surprises for them to enjoy. All who were loved by her were truly blessed, and she will be greatly missed. Memorial contributions can be given to CRMC Hospice, Edwards Cancer Center, or Doerun First Baptist Church. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marie Gay Saunders, please visit our flower store.