EULA
E. FITZGERALDEula E. Fitzgerald, 79, of Reno, Nev. died on Friday, Jan. 12, 2008, after a lengthy illness at the home of her niece in Houston.
Born April 4, 1928, in Coke County, she was the youngest child of Harvie Saunders and Bertie Cade Saunders of Blackwell. Her formal name derived from two family friends, Mrs. Eulah Copeland and Mrs. Ethel Hilger.
Yet to family, friends, and schoolmates, she was known as "Doll," so nicknamed by her father on the day of her birth.
She graduated from Blackwell High School in 1947 and attended San Angelo College. In December 1948, she joined the Women's Army Corps (WACS). After basic training, she was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, and by this time, she had acquired her long-lasting nickname of "Sandy."
On Oct. 6, 1951, she married Herbert H. Fitzgerald of El Paso and a native of Anderson County. Making their home in California, he preceded her in death on Sept. 12, 1969.
She had a great sense of humor, a keen desire for adventure, and lived life to its fullest measure, always on the lookout for a new fishing hole.
Though she resided in California, Oregon and Arizona during her adult years and retired to Reno, Nev., her heart never left Texas and the banks of Oak Creek.
Doll was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Allie Florine VanZandt of Blackwell; four brothers, Bill Saunders of Blackwell, H.F. Saunders Jr. of Farmington, N.M., J.W. "Pete" Saunders of Cortex, Colo. and Rex D. Saunders of Blackwell; two nieces; and two nephews.
Survivors include one brother, James Howard Saunders of Blackwell; two sisters, Eunice Evelyn McRorey of San Angelo and Frances Van Sneed of Fort Worth; plus nine nieces and seven nephews and their extended families.
A memorial service will be held at the Blackwell Cemetery at a future date. Memorials may be made to the Blackwell Volunteer Fire Department, Blackwell, TX 79506, or Christus VNA Hospice, 601 Sawyer Street, Suite #750, Houston, TX 77007, the staff of which provided such wonderful care and support to Doll and to Glenda and her family.
From THE SWEETWATER (TX) REPORTER (1/15/2008)
| Burial: Blackwell Cemetery Blackwell Nolan County Texas, USA |