Worthing Gazette 10th Feb 1932
“Death of Daughter of Heene’s First Rector”
Funeral of Mrs Saunders
Old residents of Worthing who knew her during her girlhood and early married life and friends in Walberton where she afterwards went to live, heard with regret of the death after a short illness of Mrs Agnes Violet Vivia Saunders wife of Mr George Saunders, The Dower House, Walberton. Mrs Saunders was the second daughter of Rev. Henry McLeod Beckles, first rector of St Botolph’s Church, Heene and Mrs Beckles. She was born in Worthing and on her marriage went to live at Chappell Croft, St Botolph’s Road, Heene. Later she and her husband moved to Walberton where she took a very keen interest in all the affairs of the parish. She was actively associated with the Walberton Conservative Association, was secretary of the Women’s Institute and was an enthusiastic member of the Mother’s Union. She leaves a husband and one little daughter. The funeral took place in Heene Cemetery on Wednesday, the grave by the side of those of Rev. and Mrs Beckles, being lined with moss and flowers. The service was conducted by the rector of Heene (Rev. E A Haviland) and amongst the mourners were the bereaved husband; the Misses Beckles (sisters); Mr and Mrs Garbett (brother-in-law and sister); and Miss Silver; Mrs and Miss Sharp (cousins); Vice-Admiral Sir frank Clifton-Brown; Mrs Dalby (Chichester); Mrs Sharp (housekeeper at The Dower House); Mr A Boyse (organist at St Botolph’s Church); Mrs Chidwick (widow of Mr James Chidwick (an original member of the choir at St Botolph’s); Mr & Mrs Batten (employees of Mr T Saunders); Mrs Chard and Misses Thomas.
The masses of beautiful flowers laid on the grave were sent by: her sorrowing husband; her loving daughter Crystal; her sister Elva; Mr & Mrs Garbett; in remembrance of my godchild from May Turner; Stella and Eileen; Maud and Ethel; Mr & Mrs A Sharp; Dorothy and Alan; Maisie; Di; Mollie, Dossie and Freda; Vice Admiral and Mrs Clifton Brown; Mr & Mrs H Mitchell (Barnham); May Sharp; Mr Thomas Saunders; Mrs A E Gordon Fraser; Mr & Mrs Russell and family; the Misses Keppel; and the Rev. W G Hunter and Miss Hunter (Walberton Vicarage).
A token of sincere regret and sympathy from the President and members of Walberton Women’s Institute; from fellow members of the Walberton branch of the Mother’s Union; a slight token of respect and esteem from the Walberton Men’s Branch of the West Sussex Conservative Association.