Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Celebration of Life

Jerel Jermayne "JJ" Saunders was granted his angel wings on Friday, January 15, 2021. Jerel J. Saunders was born September 19, 1990 in Beckley, West Virginia. He attended Park Middle School in Beckley. He relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and earned his diploma from Bartram High School. He had a talent for using his hands which prompted him to enroll in the Academy of Careers and Technology where he majored in Welding. Jerel found so much satisfaction in his accomplishments as a welding student and was elated by how combine welding enabled him to combine his creativity with his God-given ability to use his hands to shape, repair, smooth, and polish metals.

Jerel’s life seemed too short, but many were touched by his inner beauty and kind spirit. Jerel experienced love on earth and demonstrated love to others through his pleasant, gracious, charming and forgiving behavior. Jerel was open to receiving advice and wise counsel from his family and friends and made significant strides toward accomplishing his goals. He was able to touch many hearts with his handsome smile and fill people’s spirit with laughter. We will forever remember his ability to make others laugh so much that they would be brought to tears. JJ had a gentle smile that brought a sense of comfort and joy. We will miss his bubbling spirit. JJ’s generous disposition and pleasant personality were loved by all, and his influence will continue to touch the lives of all who knew him.

Jerel Jermayne Saunders, or “JJ” as he was so affectionately known, was given this nickname by his mother because many people often misspelled his name by using ‘G’ rather than ‘J’. He returned to West Virginia with the swagger as an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan, so another nickname caught on, “Philly”.

JJ had a love for animals and enjoyed many things including: watching football games and playing video football games, reading autobiographies, and listening to R&B and old school hip-hop music. Regularly, JJ was seen looking quite distinctive when he wore his favorite color, red. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially fishing, even though he didn’t like to bait his own hook or take a fish off of his line! He also enjoyed riding dirt bikes and four wheelers, a hobby that started when he lived in Philadelphia. During his time in Beckley, he developed a great passion for antique cars. Most importantly, JJ enjoyed spending time with his family, and especially his two sons. Ra’Lique and Kashmir were the joy and most important part of his life. He expressed excitement about how he loved the days of getting dressed up and taking them trick-or-treating during Halloween. Christmas was his favorite time of the year because it brought together family and friends, along with reflecting the birth of Jesus Christ.

We will miss the warmth of JJ’s presence, and how good he made us feel when we were around him. We will remember how he cared for people in a genuine way without ever asking for anything in return. He truly loved others and wanted the best for others. JJ was always doing what he could to help a friend. One of his closest friends summed it perfectly, “What you saw was always what you got with him, and what you saw – if you were lucky enough to be his friend – was a truly delightful, generous, easy-going, fun-loving human being.”

JJ was a loving son and best friend to his mother, Vivian Ortiz and will be lovingly remembered by his father, Gary Saunders; his children, Ra’Lique Saunders and Kashmir Wallington; his brothers, Rafael Teet, Fredie Ortiz, Gary Saunders, Jr., Jermaine Williams; sister, Tameika Bradley; grandmother, Louise Teet; uncles, James Teet, Jr., Darlyn Teet, Mark Teet, David Vaughn, and Robert Saunders; aunts, Belle Teet, Charlene Teet, Vanessa Hackney, Alicia Teet, Donna Austin, and Sandra Gray and a host of devoted nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. JJ was predeceased by his grandfathers, James Teet and James Saunders, grand-mom, Jannie Vaughn, and aunt, Dorethy Burgess.

Private memorial service will be 1:00pm Friday, January 29, 2021 at Heart of God Ministries, 1703 S. Kanawha St.. Beckley with Bishop Fred T Simms officiating.

Friends and colleagues, while wearing gloves, masks and observing social distancing may call one hour prior to the service.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.