Mrs. Ernestine G. Saunders, 94, of Lake City died Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Shands at UF in Gainesville. A native of Columbia County, she was the daughter of the late Henry Nathan and Allie Pearce Greene and had lived her whole life in Lake City. Mrs. Saunders graduated from Columbia High School in 1947 and had worked at Rosiers 5 & 10, J.C. Penney, Globe Finance, The Polio Foundation, and with lawyers Jopling, Black and Hodges. In 1951 she married Ray E. Saunders and they started their family that they raised in Lake City and was a long time member of Parkview Baptist Church. Mrs. Saunders was preceded in death by her husband Ray, daughters Mary Ann Blanton, Kay Saunders, and Rita Lehman.

Mrs. Saunders is survived by her son Richard "Ricky" Saunders; grandsons, Justin Blanton, Colin Blanton, and Walker Lehman; special sister in law, Allegra Saunders; nieces and nephews, Nancy Whitehead Martin, Rhonda Shotts, Matt and Mark Mathis; many cousins and a host of special friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Saunders will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Parkview Baptist Church with Dr. Mike Tatem officiating. Interment will follow at Corinth Cemetery at 1:30 P.M. Visitation with the family will be from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Parkview Baptist Church Building Fund or Missions, 268 NW Lake Jeffery Road, Lake City, FL 32055, Gideons International, P.O. Box 1805, Lake City, FL 32056, or the charity of your choice.