Eugene Monroe Saunders 72 of Prosperity died Friday November 21 2014 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 pm Sunday November 23 2014 at Whitaker Funeral Home Chapel in Newberry by Rev. Dennis Campbell and Joan Pennington. Visitation will follow the services on Sunday. Interment will be at 2:00 pm on Monday November 24 2014 at Ophir United Methodist Church Cemetery in Troy NC. Born April 8 1942 in Troy NC he was a son of the late Harris Luke Saunders and Katherine Dennis Saunders. Gene was a graduate of North Carolina State University. Following graduation he remained with his alma mater and began his career as a Research Technician in the Weed Control Research Department for the University. After retirement he and his wife Neena relocated to Prosperity. They spent their time enjoying the lake and also ran a booth at the Jockey Lot Flea Market and at Town Square Antiques where he displayed his jug face pottery and other antiques. He was a gentle giant of a man who had an infectious personality and who enjoyed people. He loved his family dearly cherished the moments fishing with his grandchildren and looked forward to spending time at the mountain home He is survived by his wife Neena Blackwell Saunders; daughters Aimee Cochran and husband Daniel of Conway Meredith Hauser and husband Marcus of York Kelley Flynn and husband John of Raleigh NC; brother James Saunders Sr. and wife Evelyn of Troy NC; grandchildren Christopher Cochran Ashley Cochran Kaileigh Poole Ella Flynn and Lena Flynn; and nieces and nephews. Eugenes request was for friends to make memorials to the charity that their heart leads them to. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.