Vina Mae Susan Saunders was born September 1, 1928, in Key West Florida to MerlinR. Curry, Sr. and Hazel Rivas Curry in Key West Florida. Mom passed away peacefully at home surrounded with her family on Good Friday, the same day that her mother passed away 37 years ago on a Good Friday.
She attended Frederick Douglass school and graduated in 1946 as valedictorian of her senior class. She left Key West to attend FAMC in 1946 and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor's Degree in home economics, and a minor in Science. She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, serving as secretary for two years.
She returned to Key West and married the love of her life, Silas Saunders. From this Union, they were blessed with four children. Their union on Earth lasted for 65 years until Silas’s death. She returned to Key West where she started her first job with the City of Key West as an attendant for the children in the community park and influenced them greatly, many of them still reflect on her. Dr. Virginia Irving was one of those students who always spoke lovingly of her, teaching them skills, like making potholders and other crafts.
She returned to FAMC in 1960 now known as FAMU to receive her certificate of teaching in Elementary Education. She began her teaching career at Douglass School later on teaching at Truman Elementary and finishing her career at Memorial Elementary, which later became Glynn Archer. Her career of teaching spanned 30 years teaching many of the island’s children. She was the last of The Douglass School teachers.
She was a faithful member of Cornish Memorial AME Zion Church, being a faithful member from her childhood and until her passing. She served in many capacities.
She leaves to mourn her precious memory her children, Romaine Newton, Bruce Saunders, Detra Fisher and Silas Saunders Jr. Her memory will live in the hearts of her 10 grandchildren that she left behind and also her nine great grandchildren, her beloved nephews, nieces, cousins and her godson, Glenn Hayes, Sr.
She was predeceased by her father, Merlin Curry Sr. her mother, Hazel Curry and her siblings, Merlin Curry Jr. Victoria King and Florine Welch and her grandson, Christopher Newton.
Mom will be dearly remembered as stern, but loving and fair. She had high expectations of her children and every student that she taught. She was an excellent homemaker and loved to cook and bake. She was an excellent quilter making a quilt for each one of her children and some of her grandchildren all stitched by Hand.