Mrs. Jewel Dean (Bodiford) Saunders, 91, a resident of Dothan, passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025, at Southeast Health with family by her side.
Services will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Grandview Baptist Church with Reverend Mike Grimes, Reverend Allen Singley, and Kaleb Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Abbeville Memorial Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 11:45 am until 12:45 pm, prior to the service at the church. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to, Grandview Baptist Church Music Ministry, 2400 Forrester Road, Cowarts, Al 36321.
Mrs. Jewel was born November 21, 1933, in Newville to the late Bernard and Ollie Dean Bodiford. After spending her early life in Newville, she married her husband of 60 years, Calvin Saunders and after living in Abbeville, made a home in Dothan where she lived out the rest of her days. Those who knew Mrs. Jewel knew a kind, generous, and loving woman who met stranger and friend alike with compassion and an outstretched hand. Whether it was gathering with her sisters, cheering on her Braves, enjoying a Red Hat Club outing or spending time with her family, whom she loved dearly, she met life with zeal and excitement. She was widely loved and returned that love tenfold to all who surrounded her. Mrs. Jewel was a true example of being a good and faithful servant as she lived out loud her love for God. Granny Jewel lived up to her name in every aspect of the word and she will be greatly missed.
She is preceded in death by her parents: and her sister Margaret Battle.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Calvin Saunders of Dothan, her daughter, Julie Saunders Brown (Todd) of Ashford; her two grandchildren, Jacy Pouncey (Chris), and Janie Smith (Kaleb); her two great-grandchildren, Lucy and Noah Pouncey, and arriving soon Baby Smith; her three sisters, Barbara Sasser (Dewannis), Betty Battle, and Daphne Jones (Sam).
Serving as pallbearers, Kaleb Smith, Chris Pouncey, Sammy Jones, Tracy Jones, Donald Battle, Jackie Battle, and Terry Phillips.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com.
