Octavene Saunders Obituary (1940 - 2013)

Octavene Harris Saunders, 72 of Cambridge, departed this life on Tues., Oct. 8th at Univ. of MD Shore Med. Center at Dorchester. She was born November 21, 1940 in Cambridge, Maryland, daughter of the late Benjamin Harris and Irene West. She attended the public schools of Dorchester County from which she obtained her GED. She received her Associate of Arts Degree from Chesapeake College and a Bachelors and Masters Degree from Salisbury State University.On April 25, 1958, she married Joseph Lee Saunders Sr. Octavene reached goals she never dreamed of. On August 24, 1978, she was a civic leader who was invited to meet Gov. Blair Lee and Senator Hoyer at the Governor's Mansion, and she later attended the National Commission on Working Women, Southeast Regional with Mary Sue Hurst, Governor Elect Harry R. Hughes and Rep. Barbara Mikulski. She supported these government officials by sponsoring and supporting legislation on women's issues including child support, child care, displaced homemakers, spouse abuse, pregnancy benefits, sexual discrimination, equal opportunity for employment and credit for women, ERA and rape laws. July 15, 1977, Mrs. Connie Brooks, Deputy Clerk of the Courts at that time, swore Mrs. Saunders in as a member of the Maryland Commission for Women for which she served as Chairman of the Dorchester Women's Council. February 5, 1978, she was the guest speaker for the Car-Ken-Tal-Que-Dor Business and Professional Women's Club in Easton, MD. Octavene over the years has been involved in a variety of community activities, social welfare and women's organizations for which many she held leadership positions. Her most recent passion was the Empowerment Center. You may wonder how one person could accomplish so much within a 24hour day, she would assure you that it would not have been possible without the support of her family who made many sacrifices to assist her in her accomplishments. Her memory shall always be cherished by her husband of 58 years, Joseph Saunders Sr.; children, Elvis Joseph Harris, Elizabeth Irene Saunders , Cornia Saunders Baltimore (Alan), Joseph Lee Saunders Jr., Benjamin Edward Saunders Sr. (Michelle) and Jeffery Bradford Saunders; grandchildren, Benjamin Edward Saunders IV, NyKeda Octavene Saunders, Jawan Tomorrow Perry, Jeanette Baltimore, Amber Saunders, Angel Saunders, Octavene Saunders II, William Saunders III, Joseph Lee Saunders-Smith III, Javar Saunders Smith, LaToya Saunders, Javonta Lee Saunders, Daniel Baltimore, Nathan Saunders, Tiffany Harris, Rose Elisa Harris, Inchin Saunders, Alisha Nicole Williams, Matilda Price and Antelique Jones; two sisters, Lorraine Brown and Darlene Waters; aunts, Ethel Creekmore, Bertie Fletcher and Evelyn Allen; two sisters in-law, Diane Ennels and Deborah Harris; brother in-law, Bert Ennels and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19th 1pm at Cambridge South Dorchester High School 2475 Cambridge Beltway Cambridge with a viewing Friday, Oct. 18th 2-7pm at Henry Funeral Home PA 510 Washington St Cambridge and one hour prior to service on Sat. Interment in Waugh Chapel Cemetery Cambridge.