Berdella Rhodes Saunders, daughter of the late Aaron Rhodes and Irene Johnson, was born on August 2, 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this life on November 3, 2009 after a lengthy illness. Berdella was a graduate of The Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore and getting that high school diploma was an important goal for her. Upon completion of her education, she worked at a local paint company as their first African-American secretary. She kept this job until 1943 and left it to start her fmaily. when her youngest child was in elementary school, she went back to work as a school Crossing Guard for the City of Baltimore; this allowed her to be close to her home in the old South Baltimore neighborhood on Sharp Street. Berdella was very active in the PTA's of her children's schools and often acted as the Secretary for the elementary and Junior High PTAs. Since she was a Business Education Major in high school and as a former secretary, Berdellla understood the importance of constantly updating her personal and professional skills. In the personal realm, she pursued her love of sewing by making all of her youngest daughter;s elementary school clothing. Prefessionallty, she projectd managed the Office of Employment Development's Summer lunch Program at the Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, from 1960 through 1980. Berdella often worked tirelessly in in varius church activities and with many committees. Even as a senior citizen, she updated her personal and professioal skills by taking computer courses at the Waxter Center. As a senior with many years of service with Ebenezer, her beloved church, she became one of the Precious Gems, a name given to the seniors of the church. Berdella was an excellent cook and because of this, her pies and cakes were often requested; especially her sweet potato pie. She was from that era when being a Housewife was a great honor, and she carried out her domestic responsibilities with great pride and dignity. Her immediate family was the most important thing in her life, and home was everything and extremely important to her. She was fiercely protective of all of her children. She married Leslie H. Saunders, Sr; and out of that union seven 7 children were born, Leslie Jr., LeRoy, Edna, Leonard, Levi, Leon and Carolyn. Bunchie, as she was nicknamed, made numberous friends wherever she went. She will be sincerely missed by everyone who knew her. She was a true friend and a devoted wife and mother. She had a great love for children. She leaves to mourn; her husband of 63 years, Leslie H. Saounders, Sr; two sons, Leslie H. Saunders, Jr. and Leon Q. Saunders; two daughters, Edna Rhodes Gibson and Carolyn Saunders Johnson; two sisters, Viola Brooks and Bertie Gibson; two sisters-in-law, Goldie Saunders Thompson and Doris Saunders; her best friend, Lillian Sands and family; grandchildren, nieces, and nephews and a host of friends and church committee members.