SJ202: Celebrating the life of the Reverend Howard W. Saunders III.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 202
Offered February 7, 2006
Celebrating the life of the Reverend Howard W. Saunders III.
Patron-- Williams

WHEREAS, the Reverend Howard W. Saunders III, former rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Hampton, died on December 30, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Howard Saunders was born in Hampton on June 9, 1926; graduated from Newport News High School; attended Virginia Military Institute, leaving to enter the military in 1944; and later graduated from the University of Richmond in 1948; and

WHEREAS, Howard Saunders served in the United States Navy during World War II and the United States Army during the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, prior to entering the seminary, Howard Saunders was employed by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company as a material expediter and Abbitt Realty as a real estate salesman; and

WHEREAS, Howard Saunders was ordained to the Diocese of Southern Virginia in 1964 and the priesthood in 1965, while serving at St. Andrew's Church in Newport News; and

WHEREAS, in 1972, Howard Saunders became the rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where he served until he retired in 1989; and

WHEREAS, Howard Saunders served his parish with compassion, tremendous energy, and kindness and was of great comfort and support to the members of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in times of joy and sadness; and

WHEREAS, Howard Saunders reached out in endless ways to help citizens in need in the community and served on the board of trustees at Virginia Theological Seminary for many years; and

WHEREAS, during his retirement, Howard Saunders continued to perform baptisms, weddings, and funerals and remained active in the ministry, serving as pastor to retired clergy, chairman of the diocesan pension fund, supply clergyman at several area churches, and Assisting Priest at Saint Andrew’s; and

WHEREAS, Howard Saunders will be fondly remembered for his profound wisdom and innate ability to communicate and help others and will be sorely missed by his family, his numerous friends and admirers, and the congregation of Emmanuel Episcopal Church; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a beloved rector and outstanding Virginian, the Reverend Howard W. Saunders III; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Reverend Howard W. Saunders III as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.