Lucille L. Sanger

Lucille L. Sanger passed away Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005, ending 98 years lived with kindness, compassion and grace. She was born April 23, 1907, to Thomas Jackson Lohr and Lena Reid Boyd. Her lifelong residence was at 1013 Greenville Ave, Staunton, Va., the home that her parents built in the 1890's and named "Kenva Heights" for her mother's and father's respective home states (Kentucky and Virginia). As a child she attended Olivet Presbyterian Church, where she began teaching Sunday school at age 16 and was invited by her pastor to conduct a prison ministry program. In her early 20's she became a member of Second Presbyterian Church where she continued to teach for another 65 years. After her family, Second Presbyterian Church was the central focus and joy of her life. Lucille graduated from Beverly Manor High School and attended Mary Baldwin College. She served as the physical therapist at Woodrow Wilson General Hospital during World War II and often shared memories of "the boys" she had given comfort to. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Sanger and their 10 children also attended Olivet Presbyterian, and Lucille and young Lloyd Sanger became friends at age 12. Over the next nearly 25 years, Lloyd and Lucy remained best friends while he served in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army. Lloyd took Lucille as his bride on Nov. 3, 1944, purchased the Lohr home place on Greenville Avenue and the couple spent 40 happy years there until Lloyd's tragic death from a fall in 1984. Lucille remained at her home until 1998 when she lost her eyesight. She moved to Winston-Salem to live with her children, and in March 2005 she became a resident of Salemtowne Retirement Community. Lucille is survived by her daughter Meredythe Sanger; son Sam Sanger and daughter-in-law Tomi Melson-Sanger, all of Winston-Salem. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Thornrose Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today, Aug. 22, at Hamricks Funeral Home in Staunton, Va. Please join the family at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, at Second Presbyterian Church, for a memorial service and celebration of Lucille's life. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Forsyth Humane Society or Hospice of Winston-Salem.