Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Saunders, Lewis L. July 31, 1953 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Diane Renfrow dianel14@gmail.com July 18, 2016, 7:01 am Norfolk Journal and Guide,Aug 15,1953 Norfolk - The recent death of Lewis (sometimes spelled Louis) L. Saunders stirs many recollections. Mr. Saunders, a veteran hotel man, died at his residence, 2627 Broad Creek road July 31 following an illness which became apparent nine years ago. His passing recalls memories of the Jamestown Exposition, one of the most historic and exciting events in the 20th century annals of Norfolk. Moreover, his death further thins the almost extinct ranks of the vast army of colored hotel workers which ringed the East Coast from Atlantic City NJ to Key West FL, during the turn of the century. Mr. Saunders’ career covered approximately 37 years as bellman at the famed Atlantic Hotel on downtown Granby street, where he was head bellman in 1944 when advancing sickness forced him to repair to his Broad Creek road home for what was to be a “temporary rest.” He retained the hope that eventually he would be able to return to his job, but it was a hope never to be realized. He never formally retired - just faded out of the scene in which had been a active figure for so many years. The year 1937 brought to Norfolk what probably was its most thrilling economic boom since the Civil War. It came in the wake of the Jamestown Exposition. At the time this city became renown throughout the foreign capitals and all over the Continental United States, the benefits of which are still evident. Hotel business in the local area zoomed to unprecedented heights. New structures were hastily erected to accommodate the anticipated flood of visitors. The local demand for hotel personnel exceeded all previous records, and in this hectic scramble for workers, the then youthful Saunders landed a berth at the celebrated Atlantic Hotel whose stone walls were almost bulging with guests. He spent the remainder of his working years there. It is impossible to estimate the volume of personal services he rendered the traveling public in his more than 36 years as a Norfolk hotel bellman, but during this period his contact with personalities must have attained worldwide proportions. The late J. Frank Bell, manager of the hotel, said of Mr. Saunders back in 1942: “This man has performed his duties with the utmost of satisfaction since the Jamestown Exposition.” Mr. Bell spoke those words in a citation to Mr. Saunders while presenting the head bellman a large and beautiful silver coffee service in appreciation of the latter’s 35 years of service at the establishment. The veteran hotel man lived a life that commanded the respect of the public and won the esteem of his neighbors. During his career he purchased two homes. He was a native of Norfolk County, attended the Crossroads school where he completed the seventh grade. He was married to Mrs. Rosa Saunders, who survives him, in 1910. He had a keen sense of civic responsibilities, and prior to becoming handicapped by declining health, served on juries in Corporation Court on a number of occasions. Other survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Ella Potillo, Baltimore MD, and Mrs. Matilda Burroughs, Madison NJ; two nieces, Mrs. Gladys Jordan, Baltimore, and Mrs. Sadie Jones, Norfolk; a nephew, James Saunders, Norfolk. Funeral services were held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. Requiem mass was said by Father Lannigal. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery with King Funeral Home in charge. Additional Comments: Calvary Cemetery SAUNDERS, LEWIS J I24422 Section 2, Block 2, Lot 21, Space NW 0 07/31/1953 IM File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/norfolkcity/obits/s/saunders11963gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vafiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb