Roosevelt Saunders was a bus driver for Boone County Schools, but he was much more than that. He had a junk yard. Dealt in scrap metal. Sold used cars. Was a trader of guns, cars, knives, musical instruments--all kinds of stuff. Big teller of fantastic and funny stories, and one of the sweetest, best-natured humans who ever lived on Coal River (down below Twin Poplars). He was known to a whole bunch of people up and down Coal River, and welcomed everywhere.

My grandpa, Joe Wills, was also a gun and watch trader, so it was natural that they would meet. Grandpa loved Rosie, and Rosie loved Grandpa. In this photograph, Grandpa is feigning disinterest in the shiny Colt revolver Rosie is brandishing. All part of the trading game.

Rosie was a member of the St. John's Church at Garrison, where his funeral was preached. I cannot pass by Saunders Bottom without thinking of how much I miss Roosevelt Saunders.