Sarah V Williams

Sarah V. Williams, age 96 of Harpersfield, passed on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. She was born on March 24, 1918 in Tunnelton, West Virginia. Sarah was the daughter of Mittie (Poling) and J. Osborn Fortney. The family moved to Unionville, OH in 1931 when she was 13. Her father, previously a coal miner, and older brothers accepted the opportunity to work on a relative's grape farm and begin to build a better life for their family. She was one of eight children. Sarah's first job at age 16 was at The Old Tavern in Unionville making 10 cents an hour. While there she learned to make corn fritters which later became a family favorite. In 1937 she graduated from Madison High School. She went on to be a nanny for two prominent area families; Dr. Perry Burgess and Charles Sanborn. On Mother's Day, May 9th, 1943 Sarah married Harry W. Williams at the Unionville Congregational church. Together they shared 68 years of love, friendship, and mutual respect until Harry passed on October 11, 2011. Sarah was a member of the Unionville Church for 65 years. She served as church moderator for 15 years, was President of the Women's Fellowship, the East Group, and also wrote the monthly newsletter. The church helped many through their fundraisers, and Sarah played a big part for numerous years. The chicken and biscuit dinners were very popular (and also a family favorite). In later years she became and remained a member of the United Church of Christ in Geneva. She had a friendly, sweet personality and made friends everywhere. Her love of flowers brought her to be master gardener and President of the Geneva Friendly Garden Club. She was also a Girl Scout Leader and a member of the Harpersfield Heritage Society. She enjoyed cooking, pie baking, knitting and sewing, but most of all she enjoyed her family and grandchildren. Sarah always loved music, especially classic country, hymns and the Lawrence Welk Show. She was also an avid Indians fan for years. Sarah was loving and caring in all that she did. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a woman of great faith and believed when she passed that she would be with God. In her later years she enjoyed holding someone's hand while saying The Lord's Prayer and always ended with "God Bless Everyone". Her blessed survivors include: Daughter, Julie M. Williams, grandson Shawn and wife Randi, great grand children Logan, and twin daughters Cameryn and Paige; son, Harry W. Williams Jr. and wife De, grandson Warren Williams, wife Stacie, great grandsons Dalton and Nathan Williams; Grandson, Justin Williams and wife Deb, great grandson Clayton and great granddaughter Kayla Williams; De's son Christopher Williamson; daughter, (Lurene) Carol Stouder, grandsons Jason R. Covert of Columbus, OH and grandson Austin L. Stouder of Tampa, Fl both to whom she was very close; great granddaughter Ashley M. Covert (who Sarah lovingly helped raise), great grandsons Kyle and Kayden Covert. Also sisters; Evelyn Dalin and Thelma Berg; one brother Adrian Fortney, and brother-in-law Allen Williams; Former daughter-in-law and loving, devoted family friend Virginia Surbella; former son-in-law Ronny Stouder of Pacific Junction, Iowa. Preceded in death by her husband Harry, parents, brothers, David Fortney, Ralph Fortney (wife Florence,) Howard (wives Audrey and Alice) Fortney, sister, Genevieve Rosencrans Gehring (husbands, Charlie Rosencrans and Frank Gehring); nephew, Robert Fortney, sister-in-law, Patty Fortney, brother-in-laws Lloyd Dalin and George Berg; granddaughter–in-law Melissa (Missy) Williams; and many other beloved family members and friends. Friends will be received 1:00 – 2:00 pm on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at The Behm Family Funeral Home, 175 South Broadway, Geneva with a funeral service following at 2 pm. Donations may be made in honor of Sarah to The United Church of Christ in Geneva or The Harpersfield Heritage Society.