Miles Curtis “Curt” Saunders Jr., 81, of Hartfield, died peacefully on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at his home on the Piankatank River.
He spent his youth growing up in the Greensville County area, attending high school there. He attended pre-pharmacy at the College of William and Mary and received his bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy at the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in 1967. At MCV, he met his future wife, Genie Richardson, he a senior and she a freshman. They married in 1969, and Genie received a bachelolr’s degree in Pharmacy in 1970. They opened the Deltaville Pharmacy in 1970 and the Family Pharmacy of Hartfield in 1984, later consolidating both businesses into the Medicine Shoppe of Hartfield in 1992, where they would practice until their retirement in 2013.
Curt had a passion for helping others and serving the community. He served in the Lower Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department, the Middlesex County Volunteer Resue Squad in Deltaville, and the Hartfield Volunteer Fire Department, where he was treasurer for nearly 30 years and found great fulfillment and lifelong friendships. He also served on the Middlesex County School Board as well as various boards for professional associations. He was an honest, hardworking man that lived his life with integrity and compassion, and he was a very patriotic and proud American.
Curt had a quick wit and an incredible sense of humor, which he maintained to the very end of his life. He was a devoted family man, and his greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends and boating on the Piankatank River, where he spent many years water skiing with friends and family.
He is preceded in death by his son, Jerrell Ellis (“Jess”) Saunders; parents, Miles Curtis Saunders and Lucy Saunders Trimm; stepfather, Milton E. Trimm; brother, Jack D. Saunders, Lt. Col. USAF; in-laws, Clark T. Richardson and Maria Vivó Richardson; and by his favorite dog, Stanley Joseph.
He is survived by his wife, Maria R. “Genie” Saunders; son, Miles Vance Saunders (Meredith); daughter, Maria Saunders Hubbard (Brian); three grandchildren, Austin Curtis Saunders, Emma Elizabeth Saunders, and Miles Lucas Saunders; special daughter-in-law, Ashley Elizabeth McBurney (Chris); sister, Kathryn Saunders Landen; sister-in-law, Anna D. Saunders; favorite cousin, Margaret T. Mayo (Bob); and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.
The family expresses its gratitude to all the caregivers that took care of Curt during his illness including the Riverside Walter Reed Hospice Program and the home care aides coordinated by Tamara Moody.
A celebration of life is planned for 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 21 at the Hartfield Volunteer Fire Department firehouse. All are welcome to come celebrate Curt’s life and share fond memories and fellowship. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Hartfield Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 205, Hartfield, VA 23071.
