Marceline Marie Saunders

Evans, GA – Marceline “Marcie” Herndon Saunders, 95, peacefully joined her God and her Heavenly family on Saturday, August 23, 2025.

Marcie was born on October 27, 1929, in Estill, SC, and grew up in Charleston. She met her husband, Elwyn Alva Saunders, at Citadel Square Baptist Church where, at age 13 they went to a church picnic as a first date. Later, while she was in Nursing School and El was at the Citadel, they re-connected. They were married on September 8, 1950, in Charleston and celebrated 59 years together. They moved several times during El’s medical career, including to Buffalo NY, Baltimore MD, and Nashville TN, before settling in Augusta GA for the rest of their lives.

Marcie was always active and was on the high school basketball team at Memminger High School in Charleston. She completed her nursing training at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston and in Washington, DC and went on to practice nursing at Roper hospital prior to the birth of her children. Marcie was an active volunteer with the Girl Scouts, the Medical College of Georgia, First Baptist Church and the Brandon Wilde Rose Garden. She was the driving force in the development of Brynwood Swim Club in Augusta and played tennis with her “Brynwood Tennis Group” for many years.

Marcie had a life-long love for the beach. She started an annual “Mother/Daughters Beach Trip” over 35 years ago and was still able to attend the last trip in June of this year with all 5 of her daughters. She loved seeing friends and family anytime she could and always had a smile for them.

Marcie was predeceased by her father: Dennis Leaston Herndon, mother: Laura Mae Boyles Herndon, husband: Dr. Elwyn Alva Saunders, sister: Dorothy Herndon Ferguson Courvoisie, and infant son: Davis Lee Saunders II. She is survived by her daughters: Patricia Whitby (Charles) of Macon, GA; Linda Saunders-Blanchard (Bob) of St. Helena, SC; Karen Whitmer (Phil) of Fayetteville, GA; Gail Laserna of Evans, GA ; Sharon Lee (John) of Augusta, GA; eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren: Sarah Whitby Williams (Wade); Amanda Whitby (Jessica); Jessica Whitmer Melnyczuk (Matt: Kira and Halle), Ben Whitmer (Mariah: Margaret and Abraham); Emma Whitmer; John “Jay” Lee, Jr; Kate Lee Evans (Preston); Brian Laserna (Natalie; Brendan, Elizabeth, Ethan, Elijah).

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 12:00 pm in the Storey Chapel at First Baptist Church of Augusta with Dr. Rodger Murchison officiating. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am in the Atrium of the Chapel prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 3500 Walton Way Ext, Augusta GA 30909 or the Elwyn A. Saunders Orthopaedic Professorship Endowment, Medical College of Georgia Foundation, 720 St. Sebastian Way, Ste 150, Augusta GA 30901.