Sarah Thompson Fletcher, May 30, 2023, surrounded by her family. Born on April 24, 1943, in Arthurdale, WV, she was the daughter of the late Ben and Barbra Dorthy (Mayor) Thompson.
After graduating from Mountaineer High in Thomas, Sarah attended George Washington School of Nursing in Washington D.C., earning her Diploma in 1964, Davis & Elkins College earning her Bachelors in the 80’s, and was the in the first graduating class from the WVU Advanced Nurse Practitioners class, where she earned her Master’s degree. Sarah worked for Memorial General in the labor and delivery unit until the hospital closed, then started to work for Youth Health where she assisted teenagers during pregnancy; she briefly retired before going back to work for Hospice of Randolph County and, after several years of service to Hospice, she finally retired for good. After her mother, Dorthy, passed, Sarah took over the operations of Ben’s Old Loom Barn in Canaan Valley
Sarah was a member of the Buena Chapel United Methodist Church where she held a representative position for the conference and was a lay preacher; she was also a member of Canaan Valley VFD Ladies Auxiliary, the Local Book Club, Canaan Valley Cosner School, the American Nurses Association, and the WV Nurses Association, who once recognized her with a Nurse of the Year award. She volunteered for the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Sarah won the Governor’s Cup Race in the 1960’s, as she was an avid skier and worked as a ski patrol and coach.
With a loving heart, Sarah sponsored two boys at the Living Hope High School in Kenya, Africa, whom she joyfully visited on multiple occasions. She traveled voraciously, domestically and abroad. Her favorite trips included Israel, Kenya, Italy, and Alaska; just a few weeks ago she was planning her next trip to Greece. She deeply invested in her community through weaving, walking, knitting and reading groups. Her thirst for knowledge was never quenched and her mind remained sharp until the end. Sarah was a true servant to our communities; she loved volunteering for anything she could, leading to her receiving the prestigious “Tuckeneer” award from the Tucker County Chamber of Commerce in 2016. This is just a small sampling of the organizations she impacted over the years.
She is survived by her son, Ben Fletcher and wife Karen of Charlotte, NC; two granddaughters, Caroline Fletcher of Washington, D.C. and Maggie Fletcher of Charlotte, NC; a sister in law, Nancy Thompson; nephews and nieces, Jennifer Snyder and husband Bill, Robert Thompson and wife Kathy, Brian Thompson and life partner Daniel, Mike Fletcher, Leigh Fletcher, Kelly Fletcher, Johanna Weldon and husband Walt, and Jenny Faye and husband Chris; and great nephews and great nieces, Alex Snyder and partner Patty Riddle, and Adam Snyder and wife Emily; and a great great niece Lynnlee Snyder.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Fletcher, to whom she was married on June 15, 1968; and two brothers, Frank Thompson and Daniel Thompson.
Mrs. Fletcher’s request for cremation will be honored. Friends were received on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 10 – 11 a.m., at Hinkle-Fenner Funeral Home, 567 Thomas Avenue, Davis. A celebration of life was held at 11 a.m., in the funeral home with Pastor Jay Bunting officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saddles & Smiles (www.saddlesandsmiles.org) or to Tucker Community Foundation c/o Thompson Family Fund.
The Hinkle-Fenner Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Fletcher family at this time.
