Marie Saunders, 77, of Cobb Island died Sept. 29, 2011 with her family by her side. She was born October 7, 1933 to the late John and Mary Simms of Cobb Island and lived on and near Cobb Island her whole life.

After World War II she and her husband Jim were active in the Civil Defense Program at Cobb Island. She worked for the U.S. Postal Service and retired in 1999. She was also a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Mary; husband, Jim; brothers, William, and sister, Dorothy.

She is survived by her daughter, Tina and her husband John, her son Spider and his wife Betty Jo, her son Jack and his wife Bernie, brother, John, her grandchildren, Dana, Jessie, J.J., Fred, Michelle, Scott, Tanya, Kelly Jo, Chucky, Ricky and David, her great-granddaughter Alyssa and her great-grandson Chris, and her partner, Bill Mudd.

She will be laid to rest next to her husband Jim at Wayside Church. There will be a viewing from 4:00-7:00pm and prayers at 7:00pm Tuesday, Oct. 4th, at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, P.A. and graveside service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday October 5th, at the Christ Church-Wayside Parish.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C., 20004; Cobb Island Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Cobb Island, MD and VFW Ladies Auxiliary 10081, Bel Alton, MD.

Arrangements are being provided by Arehart-Echols Funeral Home at 211 Saint Mary's Avenue, La Plata, MD.