Elizabeth Ann Saunders
Services for Dr. Elizabeth Ann Saunders, age 77 of Henderson, Tennessee will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, 11:00 A.M., at the Oak Grove Church of Christ Cemetery.
Elizabeth Ann Saunders was born on April 12, 1948 in Centralia, IL and grew up in Chester County, Tennessee. She passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Dr. Elizabeth Ann Saunders, retired Freed-Hardeman University professor of education, was an
accomplished woman with many “firsts” to her credit. After graduating valedictorian of her graduating high school class, she chose to enroll at Freed-Hardeman College the summer following. By the next summer, she had completed the requirements for an Associate of Arts degree, becoming the first black student to graduate from Freed-Hardeman.
She completed her baccalaureate degree Memphis State University where she was one of few black students living on campus. Following her graduation from MSU, she began her teaching career in the Haywood County School System. There she discovered a particular interest in helping students with literacy difficulties.
To better assist them, she returned to MSU to obtain a master’s degree in reading. When school administrators saw the progress, the students had made, they asked her to develop a literacy laboratory. The daughter of educators, she taught in Haywood County for eight years from 1970-78, she then returned to Freed-Hardeman to teach remedial reading and study skills in 1978, making her the first black member of the Freed-Hardeman faculty.
She continued her education at East Tennessee State University in 1983 where she earned her Doctor of Education degree, the first black woman to complete a doctoral degree at the university.
At Freed-Hardeman, she served in several positions: Instructor in the Department of Education and Center for Academic and Life Planning, Academic Advisor, Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Education, Director of Graduate Studies in Education, professor of Education, and Professor Emeritus in Education.
During her tenure at Freed-Hardeman University, she was the recipient of the Distinguished Professor Award, Faculty Merit Increment Award, Black History Award, and the Annie C. Tuggle Award for Christian Education.
She did not restrict her service to Freed-Hardeman. She was an active member of her local congregation, teaching Bible classes, Vacation Bible School and speaking at ladies’ days. She was active in various professional organizations, presenting papers and conducting workshops at the state and national levels as well as internationally.
She served on the Henderson Board of Alderman for 14 years, occupying the seat held by her father, George Saunders. She served on the Advisory Board of Directors for the African Christian Schools. She traveled extensively, frequently on mission trips.
From 1995-1998, she was awarded FHU Recognition of Service Award. She was named the Civitan Club’s Citizen of the Year in 2002. She was chosen as Volunteer of the Year by the Chester County Chamber of Commerce in 2008. In 2014, she was one of the honorees at the Black History Program for promoting diversity on FHU campus. She was inducted in the Chester County High School Hall of Fame in 2018. Also, in 2018, She was chosen as Speaker for Tolling of Bell Program at FHU. In 2019, the Jackson (TN) Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. recognized her for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to education. In 2020, Henderson-Chester County Chamber of Commerce recognized her as Citizen of the Year.
Dr. Saunders enjoyed reading, especially reading the entire Bible each year, walking, flower gardening, traveling, especially mission work, and learning about other cultures.
If you would like to send flowers in memory of Dr. Saunders, you can visit our website at https://www.stephenson-
For more information contact Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home at (731) 427-7411
