Laura Pearl Saunders was born to the late Oscar Saunders and Rosie Mae Saunders on June 23, 1928 in Clairton Pennsylvania.  Laura earned her associates degree from Essex County College and worked in the Newark Public School System for 30 years until her retirement. She worked hard to provide a good life for her 2 daughters and son.

Sister Saunders gave her life to Christ at an early age. Throughout her life she held memberships at Hopewell Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, Christian Love Baptist Church in Irvington, New Jersey and Philadelphia Baptist Church in Gordon, Alabama and Edgefield Baptist Church in Fayetteville Georgia.

Laura enjoyed her life. She loved to laugh, travel and spend time with her family and friends. She loved bowling, crossword puzzles and Atlantic City.

Laura was predeceased by her parents, Rosie Mae Dean and Oscar Saunders, her brothers, Jonas Saunders and John Dean Jr, her sisters Mary Clemons, and Emma-Jean Francis, and her grandson Erwin "Tink" Harris Jr.

Laura leaves to cherish her memory her three children Ann Spearman (Hank), of Hillside, New Jersey, son Joslyn Young of Senoia Georgia and daughter, Elaine Harris-Kea (George) of Senoia, Georgia. She also leaves to cherish her memory her siblings Alice Stennett of Gordon, Alabama, Rose Williams of Gordon, Alabama, Reverend Willis Dean (Josephine) of Dothan, Alabama, Wallace Dean of Gordon, Alabama, Ellison Dean (Mary) of Irvington, New Jersey, Reverend Willa Dean of Dothan, Alabama, and one great aunt Geretta Bogar of Niceville, Florida.

In addition to her children and siblings Laura leaves a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews to cherish her memory.

A service is planned for Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Philadelphia Missionary Baptist of Gordon, AL.