Minnie Delores King Saunders

Minnie Delores King Saunders was born on June 29, 1941 at the former George W. Hubbard Hospital in Nashville, TN. Raised in the small and humble community of Union Ridge in Bedford County, TN, she was the second child born to the late Bishop Audley S. and Mother Ola D. King.


As a third generation and lifelong member of the Church of God in Christ, Minnie’s life was significantly marked by her steadfast commitment to the Lord. Minnie professed her love for Christ through her father’s ministry at both the Union Ridge Church of God in Christ (now King Chapel Church of God in Christ) in Union Ridge, TN and Bright Temple Church of God in Christ in Shelbyville, TN. In the mid-sixties, she was introduced to the late Elder Jonathan Greer and attended the tent revivals that ultimately resulted in the founding of Pentecostal Tabernacle Church of God in Christ (now Cathedral of Praise Church of God in Christ) in Nashville, TN. While she was not a charter member, she was a devoted member for over 50 years and served in a number of capacities including Chairperson of the Gaither Harrison Brooks Scholarship Ministry for over 25 years and Secretary of the City of Life Community Development Corporation.


Minnie truly had a love for learning and therefore, excelled academically in the classroom. Educated in the Bedford County Public School system, she was taught in a one-room schoolhouse by her mother for grades 1-8 and graduated from the Bedford County Training School in 1958 as the class valedictorian. Her academic pursuits culminated at Tennessee A&I State College (now Tennessee State University), where she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education in 1962, a Master of Science Degree in Administration and Supervision in 1968, and completed additional coursework beyond the master’s degree. While a student at Tennessee State, she was initiated in the Alpha Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in the Fall of 1959, which was near and dear to her heart.


In 1970, Minnie united in holy matrimony with David W. Saunders, Sr. From this union, one child, David, Jr., was born.


Minnie’s true passion was educating children, in which she transformed the lives of thousands through a storied, 40-year teaching career. Upon completing her undergraduate studies, she returned to the Bedford County Public School System and taught English, General Business, Typing, and Shorthand for five years at both Harris High School and Shelbyville Central High School. She then relocated to Nashville and taught Business Courses in the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System for the remainder of her career, in which she integrated the faculty at Donelson High School in 1968 and was a founding teacher at McGavock High School in 1971.


The final chapter in the Book of Life for Minnie King Saunders has been written. She answered the summons from labor to reward on Friday, January 7, 2022. Her life and dedication will always be remembered by those she served.


In addition to her parents, Minnie is preceded in death by her sister, Rubye A. King and niece, Lori Groves-White.


Many loving memories will be cherished by her son, David William Saunders, Jr. of Nashville, TN; her sisters, Arena King Groves and Janie R. King, both of Nashville, TN, and Lizzie J. Reynolds of Shelbyville, TN; great-niece, Maya A. White of Washington D.C.; great-nephew, Daniel Q. White of New York, NY; and a host of other relatives and friends, whose lives are richer because she lived.