Gladys M. Saunderson-Grizzard, 89

LEWES - Gladys M. Saunderson-Grizzard of Lewes, formerly of Rockville, Md., died peacefully surrounded by her loving family Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, in Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Lewes. She was 89.

Mrs. Saunderson-Grizzard was born May 15, 1917, in Washington D.C., daughter of the late John and Myrtis (Yowell) Swetnam.

She was a secretary in the surgeon general"s office until the 1960s.

She was devoted to her family and enjoyed a full life surrounded by her loved ones. She enjoyed traveling, knitting, painting and ceramics.

Mrs. Saunderson-Grizzard was an active member of Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, Silver Spring, Md., serving as the president of the Sunday school class and head of the Women"s Missionary Circle. After moving to Delaware in 1999 she became an active member of the Midway Baptist Church, Lewes.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, R. Neil Saunderson, in 1962.

She is survived by a daughter and a son-in-law, Barbara and Jim Edwards of Dagsboro; a son and a daughter-in-law, Tom and Eileen Saunderson of Mount Airy, Md.; four grandchildren and their spouses, Jimmy and Becky Edwards, Jeff and Christina Edwards, Erin Saunderson and Jena Saunderson; two great grandchildren, Joshua Edwards and Cody Edwards; a sister, Lillie Whalen of Bowie, Md.; a sister-in-law and her spouse, Beth and Norman Tilley of Silver Spring; and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Services will be noon Wednesday in the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck Road, Millsboro, where friends may call one hour earlier.

Services will also be noon Thursday in Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, 801 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring.

Burial will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Midway Baptist Church, 21265 John J. Williams Highway, Lewes, DE 19958; or Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.