Queenie Irene Saunders

The Visitation and Funeral Service will be livestreamed here.

Our dear mother and grandmother, Queenie Irene (Weems) Saunders, affectionately called “Kitty” or “Kit” because of her hazel eyes, 88, of Union, New Jersey, has completed her final crossword puzzle, listened to her last hymn, read her final scripture, and stepped out of time into eternity, on Sunday, February 9, 2025, in Union, New Jersey. Queenie’s story began on July 19, 1936, in Newville, Alabama, the second of five children of Isiah Weems and Anzilla Culver Weems. Her husband, Joseph Nelson Saunders, Jr., parents, Isiah and Anzilla, two brothers, Jimmie Weems and Otis Weems, and two sisters, Clementine Weems and Willie Ruth Weems Hawk, preceded her in death. 

Queenie, a woman of deep faith and love for her family, accepted the Lord at a young age. Her favorite book was the Holy Bible, which she read daily when her eyes permitted. Three of her favorite scriptures are Proverbs 22:6, the Lord’s Prayer, and Jeremiah 29:13. In her youth, she attended the True Holiness Church in Vauxhall, N.J., and later, in 1995, she joined and found solace and worshipped at Antioch Baptist Church in Springfield, N.J. Her love for her family and faith was unwavering – a beacon of devotion and love. 

Queenie, with her nurturing personality, attended the Township of Union Public Schools in Union, New Jersey. She received her beauty culture/cosmetology certification in 1960. After working as a cosmetologist, Queenie furthered her education by attending the Manpower program and becoming a certified printer. Her nurturing nature led her to follow her passion for working with children and become an educator. She attended Essex County College and graduated from Jersey City State College in 1975 with a teaching certification. Her dedication as an educator was unwavering, a testament to her commitment and passion. She worked at the Floyd Patterson School and Shabazz High School in the Newark Public Schools system as a Special Education teacher for 24 years and retired in 2001.

Queenie left the Township of Union as a widow and moved to Newark, New Jersey, in 1955 to raise her daughter. She returned to Union in 1976 and eventually became a devoted caretaker of her mother for several years. Queenie and her mother were always together. They were affectionally referred to as “two peas in a pod.” In addition to loving reading the Bible, solving crossword puzzles, and listening to gospel music, Queenie read the news on her Android tablet. She also enjoyed sending her family private messages and phone calls via Facebook and Google Portal.

As an educator in the Newark Public Schools, she embodied a spirit of service and dedicated her life to shaping young minds. She was known for providing her students with clothing, personal hygiene products, and food. Her unique sense of humor kept you laughing and made you feel relaxed, comfortable, and loved in her presence. She was known as a loving and caring second mother to many. She would always quote, “‘Don’t worry about it, pray about it.” Queenie enjoyed her latter days living quietly in the Sunrise Brighton Gardens of Mountainside, N.J., where she found many loving friends.

Queenie married the love of her life, Joseph Nelson Saunders, Jr., on January 5, 1952, and in that union, they had one child, Vanessa Hamilton. She leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter to the loved ones who cherish her memory and will miss Queenie until they meet again are her daughter, Vanessa Hamilton; son-in-law, Michael Hamilton; favorite granddaughter, Nicole Michelle Melillo (Michael); step-grandson, Jayson Hamilton (Emily); great grand step son, Jacob Hamilton; Goddaughter, Jacqueline Blamo Hawthorn; one niece, Valerie Weems; nephews, Dwayne Miller, Jeffery Scott Powell (Bencilla), Steven Weems (Yolanda), and Brian Weems(Collette); her cousin, Robert Lee, Jr. (Spudy) along with a host of other family members, friends and all who lives she touched. 

Queenie’s physical life on earth has ended, and this is the beginning of an eternal journey.

KJV

John 17:3 – And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent.