Ronaline Madge Saunders
1948 - 2020
Ronaline Madge Saunders, a native of Albany, New York, was born June 2, 1948 to the late William (Billy) and Deacon Marion G. Saunders. At a young age, Ronnie, as she was affectionately called, accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized into the fellowship of the Macedonia Baptist Church on Sunday, June 29, 1962 under the Pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. George L. Burns. At Macedonia Ronnie served in several capacities, most notable the music ministry and the clerk of the Church.
As led by the Spirit of God, Ronnie moved her membership and worshipped with other Churches in the Capital region and on October 4, 2010, she joined the fellowship of the Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church under the Pastorate of Reverend Dr. Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr.
On May 13, 2013 Ronnie was consecrated a Deaconess. She also served in the Mother Charlie Mae Freeman Missions Ministry, a member of the Church choir, the Hospitality Ministry and served as the instructor for the New Disciples Orientation class, where she was very instrumental in developing the curriculum and the New Disciples Handbook. Deaconess Ronnie as she was known and loved at the Sweet likewise loved her Church, Pastor and enjoyed fellowshipping with the saints.
On January 5, 1969 Ronnie was united in Holy matrimony to Van C. Dyson. To this union one daughter was born, Kimberly Denise.
Ronnie was educated in the Albany Public School system graduating from Albany High School in June 1966. She later attended the State University of New York at Albany taking courses in Africana Studies, Public Administration and Computer software. Ronnie also attended the Interboro Institute secretarial program of New York City and the Gaston Community College of North Carolina receiving her certification in Computers for Medical Careers, Career Readiness and Medical Office Administration.
Ronnie’s professional career began with the State of New York in 1972 and spanned over 30 years until her retirement, to include, Secretary I, State University of New York at Albany Office of Personnel, Office of Affirmative Action, Schweitzer Chair Office, assigned to Pulitzer Prize winning author Toni Morrison, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Social Welfare (Dean’s Office), Department of Africana Studies (Department Secretary and Office Manager) and the College of Arts and Sciences.
In later years Ronnie was employed at the Princeton University as the Administrative Assistant to Pulitzer Prize winning author Toni Morrison and the AJ Britt Word Processing Transcribers, a sub-contract to the NYS Department of Social Services as a Medical Dictation Transcriber.
While Ronnie had many hobbies, most notable were crocheting and her love for gospel music. She was a dedicated member of the Capital District Community Choir under the direction of the late Professor Rudolph V. Stinney and the Odell Wesley Surgick Ensemble under the direction of the Reverend Theresa M. Odom-Surgick. These groups were two of the most renowned community gospel singing groups in the Capital region.
On Sunday, September 13, 2020, Ronnie transitioned from the Church militant to the Church triumphant. In addition to her parents, Ronnie was predeceased by her brother Billy and sisters Margie and Victoria.
Celebrating Ronnie’s life, legacy and love are her daughter, Kimberly Denise Dyson, brother, Alan Saunders (Ellen), sister, Renee Saunders James (Dan), her granddaughter, Kianna Marie Trogdon, great-grandson, Keegan Alan Trogdon-McDonald, dear friend, Barbara Adams, a host of other relatives, the Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church family and many friends.
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