Ida Naomi Johnson Saunders

Ida Naomi Johnson Saunders, 93, of Morganton, NC went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 while surrounded by her family.  Born in Rutherford County, NC on February 7, 1922, she was the daughter of the late James Samuel Johnson and Ida Belle Settlemyre Johnson.  Naomi was a devoted Christian and member of Mount Home Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school and was a member of the choir.  Mrs. Saunders was an avid gardener and loved to cook.  She enjoyed sewing, canning, reading, and singing.  She enjoyed being a cottage parent at Western Carolina Center for many years.  One of her greatest loves was spending time with her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Naomi was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Edward Saunders, Sr.; a son, Dewey Saunders, Jr.; sisters, Ethel Johnson, Emma Bell Brown, Grace Huntley, Katie Stroupe, and Myrtle Peterson; and brothers, Walter Johnson, Elmore Johnson, and Roy Johnson.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Derinda Saunders Smith and her husband, David, of Morganton and Debbie Saunders Bell and her husband, Ray, of Hickory, NC; a daughter-in-law, Frances Saunders of Morganton; grandchildren, Ashley E. Smith of San Diego, CA, Aaron Smith and his wife, Brooke, of Durham, NC, Christie Abernathy and her husband, Jeremy, of Morganton, Angie Lankford and her husband, Jonathan of Morganton, Jeremy R. Bell and his wife, Samantha, of Charlotte, NC, and Jamie E. Bell of Hickory; great-grandchildren, Sage Abernathy, Mason Abernathy, Naomi Smith, Norah Smith, and Elisha Lankford; and a number of nephews and nieces.

The family will receive friends from 2 – 3 p.m., Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Mt. Home Baptist Church.  The funeral will be held at the church at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Jerry Gamble officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  At other times the family will be at the home of David and Derinda Smith.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Home Baptist Church, 2272 Mt. Home Church Road, Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.