Sarah Jane Chapman

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Sarah Jane Lilly Williams Chapman.

Our dear "Grandma Jane" completed  her earthly journey at home Saturday, March 8, and has moved on to her heavenly home with her Lord and to join her family members who have gone on before her.

We want to thank two very important people who served as caregivers the past 6 years. The love and special care provided by Peggy Moran and Leigh Hylton has made her last years very special. Our family is blessed by these ladies who have become a part of our family.

Sarah was born to Sampson Lee Lilly and Latosca Lilly at Flat Top, WV on December 12, 1931.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 48 years, Billie Lee Chapman, as well as her brothers, Glenn Matherly, Chester, John and Buford Lilly, a sister, Neva Lilly Cole and her son-in-law, Harold Griffith.

Survivors left to cherish her memory are her three children, Kathryn Williams Griffith (Daniels WV), Kenneth Williams (Sandy), Mansfield OH and Michael Williams of Flat Top WV. She was blessed with ten grandchildren - Karyn (Ben) Kulp and Mark Griffith, Taylor and Reid Williams and Chris (Colette), Glenn (Suhwa), Nicholas, Scott, Thomas and Sarah Williams. Three great grandchildren Andrew Kulp, Harvey Williams and Ezra Williams. Sarah Jane is also survived by her "Birthday Sister" Betty Lilly Moye (12-12-1934) and several nieces and nephews who were like her children. She is also survived by  four stepchildren, Billie Gene Shepherd (Greg) Palm Bay FL, and Jenny Scragg (Randy), Lisa Hall and Elizabeth Chapman, and seven step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren.

Education was so important to our mother. Her primary goal was to be sure her children knew the Lord and hopefully to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and have the blessing of eternal life. She was a member of the Flat Top Baptist Church growing up as a child. Through the years she also attended The First Baptist Church of Shady Spring and the First Baptist Church of Beckley. After moving back to her home-place at Flat Top she attended the Flat Top Baptist Church and was the oldest living member, but her health impaired her attending church the last several years of her life. When the newer Flat Top Baptist Church was built, the Samp Lilly family was hardworking and committed to donate and help organize the new church project - purchases of carpet and pews for the congregation and bricking the outside of the church. Sarah enjoyed working with children in church - planning and practicing church plays and musical programs.

She taught school for 30 years teaching Spanish and serving as school librarian. Most of her teaching years were at Shady Spring High School, and she substituted for many years after her retirement. During her teaching career she spent much extra time with students supervising the production of the school yearbook, sponsoring Cheerleaders, National Honor Society and Future Teachers of America, and coordinating the Shady Spring Citizens' Scholarship Program. She served as President of the Raleigh County Education Association, the Raleigh County School Media Association and the West Virginia Library Association.

Sarah Jane has always been proud of the time and devotion spent on one of the greatest projects in our community - the building of the Stralie Walker Branch Library in Shady Spring. She served as co-chairperson working through the Shady Spring District Woman's  Club - instrumental in the planning, funding, building and dedication of this valuable asset to the Shady Spring community. She was compiler of A History of Shady Spring District, a book that showcased facts, pictures and stories of the Shady Spring area.

Over many years, Sarah served as board member and chairperson for the Lilly Reunion. She organized the book A Pictorial History of The Lilly Reunion, and compiled the Program Books for the Lilly Reunion many years until her health began to decline. Sarah and her husband, Bill, enjoyed traveling and camping in their RV.  They crossed the United States several times and enjoyed camping at the beach. They often shared their trips inviting family members and their special travel companion, Duchess! Our dear mother lived her 93 years as a giver to always help others. We hope her legacy will be carried on through her children and grandchildren.

To carry out our mother's wishes, her body was cremated and will be buried at the Byrd Lilly Cemetery at Flat Top, WV.

A Celebration of Life for Sarah will be Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Rose and Quesenberry Shady Spring Chapel at 1:00 pm.  Family visitation will be at 11 and visitation with friends will be at 12:00.

Special thanks to Mr. Bill Bowles and staff for their special care to our family.

Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net .

Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 729 Flat Top Road, Shady Spring, WV.