Samuel Jackson Donley Jr.

Samuel Jackson Donley,Jr. born in Hagerstown, Maryland, May 9, 1936, to Samuel Jackson Donley and Doris (Dolly) Donley, passed away peacefully in the care of Hospice of the Panhandle at his farm,
Fertile Plains at Molers Crossroads, March 4, 2026.

Although born and raised in Hagerstown, Mr. Donley spent every free moment on the farm from the time he was a small boy and always wanted to be a farmer.

After graduating from North Hagerstown High School in 1954, he went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in Agronomy at Virginia Polytechnical Institute (now Virginia Tech). He was a member of ROTC and upon graduation in 1958 joined the Army Reserve in Martinsburg,, WV. He was called into active duty during the Berlin Wall and Bay of Pigs. Mr. Donley retired from the reserves as a Lieutenant.

Sam Donley had dairy cows, swine, sheep, and crops. In order to raise his family, it was often necessary to subsidize the farm income with outside employment: substitute teaching, truck driving, managing a gun club, and a crop insurance adjuster.

Mr. Donley was a member of the Jefferson County Farm Bureau for fifty years, served as a member of the Jefferson County Planning Commission for twelve years, on the Board of Directors of Elmwood Cemetery-Shepherdstown, the Board of Directors of Eastern Panhandle Land Trust, the Sons of the American Revolution and the historical group, Sons of the Confederacy in Jefferson County. Throughout his life he continued his agriculture education taking classes through WV Extension Service and was considered a good farm manager using progressive methods.

In addition to his beloved farm, Sam Donley was most proud of his four children, his eight grandchildren and his eight great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Lane, daughters Diana Dlynn Bello (Arturo), Elaine Ann Oliver (Mark), his son, Samuel Jackson Donley, III (Barbara), and his daughter-in-law, Rene Walton Donley. Grandchildren: Jeremiah (Julie) Morgan, Erica (James) Boston, Amber (Joshua) Householder, Danielle (Jonathan) Watson, William Jackson Oliver, Tyler Clark Donley, and Trevor Jackson Donley, Great Grandchildren: Thomas and Noah Watson, Raegan Morgan, Jillian, Alison and Lochlan Boston, Brody and Brayden Householder. He also leaves his former wife, Patricia Clark Stickler, his sister-in-law, Betty Donley, nephews John and Richard (Tina) Donley, cousins, Gary (Linda) Donley, and Martha Knott Putz. In addition, his brothers-in-law Ben (Polly), Dave (Cathy) and sister-in-law, Lundy Beard and nieces Hilary (Jesse) Grunewald, Ann (Tracy) Etier.

He is predeceased by his parents, his brother, William Clayton Donley, his son, Shannon Clark Donley, and his grandson, Matthew Hayes.

A memorial service and celebration will be held Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Trinity Episcopal Church, Shepherdstown, at 11:00 a.m. performed by Rev. Gethin Wied with a reception after the service in their fellowship hall to which all are invited.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department, the Hospice of the Panhandle, or Elmwood Cemetery.