Howard Stephen Saunders

Howard Stephen Saunders

On September 26, 2025, Howard Stephen Saunders passed peacefully at the Healthcare Resort in Kansas City, Kansas. Howard was born March 18, 1952, in Kansas City, Kansas to Stanley and Lucy Bartee Saunders. Howard was the fifth of twelve children born to this union. Howard was preceded in death by his father, Stanley Anthony Saunders; mother, Lucy Emma Bartee Saunders; sister (still born); and brother, David Anthony Saunders.

Howard accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He attended New Seasons Christian Church (formerly Third Street Church of God) located in Kansas City, Kansas.

In 1957, Howard’s parents noticed Howard had trouble with his speech and not interacting with other children. After being evaluated by a speech pathologist and tested by a psychiatrist, Howard’s parents were informed that he was “mentally retarded” (currently referred to as an intellectual / developmental disability) and deemed to be “uneducable”. Howard’s parents did not accept this news! This news came during a time when formal education programs for special needs children weren’t established in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas. Howard’s mother set out on a mission to get help for Howard, and she tutored him at home. During the summer of 1965, Howard’s mother returned to school to further her education and earned a bachelor’s degree at Kansas University (KU). She was determined to equip herself to educate Howard on her own.

Through her pursuit of educating Howard, he was among the first students to attend the sheltered workshop in Wyandotte County. Throughout the years, Howard’s mother continued to pursue educational opportunities for him. In the Spring of 1980, Howard’s mother enrolled him in the College, Learning, Experiences, Activities and Resources (CLEAR) program located at Johnson County Community College. This program offers personal enrichment and life-enhancing classes to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Howard remained in the CLEAR program through Fall 2023. Howard took a wide variety of classes throughout his 43 years in the program including, but not limited to arts and craft, email and computer training, universal job skills, gardening, reading and more. Additionally, Howard was a life-long learner. His education and life skills included but not limited to automotive classes at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Area Vocational Technical School (AVTS), obtained his driver’s license, played piano, and he took flying lessons.

Howard assisted his father, Stanley A. Saunders, with operating the sound system at Third Street Church of God (currently, New Seasons Christian Church) for several years. He enjoyed helping his father and brothers with a variety of jobs whether at church, home projects, or

simply helping others within the community. He became quite skilled in many disciplines throughout the years. Howard was mechanically inclined, and he could repair not only cars but practically anything. In his later years, he was able to live independently, cook for himself, drive, and navigate throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Howard’s father, Stanley Saunders, had a love for music and he instilled in his children an appreciation for music. Howard enjoyed listening to a variety of gospel albums. He sat in his room often and could be heard singing many popular gospel songs such as, “Lord Help me to Hold Out” recorded by James Cleveland, “Going up Yonder” recorded by the Hawkins Family, and several songs written by Andre Crouch. In 1978, Howard’s brother, Paul B. Saunders, was inspired to gather his siblings together and form a family singing group called The Saunders Family. Howard sang his first lead solo with The Saunders Family who was featured in a concert at the Wabash Avenue Church of God in Kansas City, MO. Howard sang “God Has Smiled on Me” a song recorded by Rev. James Cleveland. Even with Howard’s speech impairment, he sang the solo with clarity and yes, in tune.

Proverbs 3: 5-6 states, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path. Howard’s life was a testimony that through God, all things are possible. Uneducable? But God!

Howard will be lovingly remembered by his six brothers, Paul B. Saunders (Alicia) of Kansas City, KS; Ricardo S. Saunders (Kathleen) of Olathe, KS; Maurice E. Saunders (Karen) of Kansas City, KS; Jewell H. Saunders (Renee) of Conroe, TX; Cedric R. Saunders (Bonnie) of Kansas City, KS; and Buell J. Saunders (Darlene) of Lenexa, KS; three sisters, Sylvia A. Thompson (Cedric – deceased), Kathleen A. Easterwood (Rodney) of Kansas City, Kansas; and Valorie A. Thompson (Keith) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; sister-in-law, Mamie Saunders (widow of David A. Saunders) of Nashville, TN. and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

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