Mrs. Janette Simpson Saunders

Janette Simpson “Bootsy” Saunders, 96, of Asheville died Thursday December 12, 2013 at Pisgah Manor Nursing Facility. Janette was born February 26, 1917 in Anderson, SC to Bratton and Eliza Colvin Simpson. At the age of nine she moved with her family to Asheville, where she and her brothers and sister had always spent their summers with her Scottish grandparents, James G. and Janet Colvin amid a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. She attended Asheville City Schools, graduating from Asheville High School in 1935. As a young woman Janette worked at Bon Marche department store where she also did modeling. While working at the polls during an election she met M.H. “Monk” Saunders with whom she would come to enjoy a long and happy marriage. Early in her married life while her brothers were away in the Army during World War II, she found herself in the role of caregiver for her parents, a role which would be repeated with many other loved ones throughout her life, and which she accepted with uncommon grace. Janette loved children, and though not blessed with her own, she had many nieces and nephews who turned to her often and found willing and loving support. During the 50 years she and her husband lived in the Jefferson Apartments, they were constantly and happily socializing with drop-in neighbors and lending a hand to them when needed. Janette was a southern lady who loved people and accepted life with all its joys and adversities. Her family was made better by her having been a central part of it. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church for over 60 years and later also attended Oak Forest Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brothers Jim and Bill Simpson, her sister Allie Louise “Booty” Roberts, her nephew Tollie Jack Roberts III and niece Peggy Simpson Reed. She is survived by her nieces Sandra Simpson, Carol Simpson Rowe (Gary), Glenda Patterson (Dan), all of Asheville; great nephews Tollie J. Roberts IV (Patti) of Asheville, Dr. J. Edward Roberts (Candace) of Rocky Mount, NC, Richard H. Lee Roberts (Bettina) of Collierville, TN, John G. Roberts of High Point, NC, Jamie Rowe of Los Angeles, CA, David Rowe of Athens, GA; Great Niece Julie Wells of Candler, NC and numerous great-great nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held Tuesday December 17, 2013 at 1 PM at Riverside Cemetery. Rev. Julie Wilburn-Peeler, Minister of Pastoral Care at Central United Methodist Church, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Eliada Foundation (Eliada Home for Children), 2 Compton Drive, Asheville, NC 28816 or www.eliada.org The family would like to thank Janette’s friend and caregiver Peggy Ramsey for the many hours of loving companionship and care she provided during the last 10 years, as well as the staff of Pisgah Manor.

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Mrs. Janette Simpson Saunders

February 26, 1917 - December 12, 2013