Virginia Roseltha Sayers passed away peacefully at the age of 97 in her home in Phelan, California, on August 3rd, 2023. Surrounded by the warmth of her family’s love, her final moments mirrored a lifetime of nurturing and selfless care for others.
Born in the quaint town of Norfolk, Nebraska, on October 17th, 1925, Virginia was the precious daughter of Lela Hutchinson Goodell and Raymond Gilson Goodell. She was a sister among eleven siblings in a home filled with laughter, love, and resilience. In 1943, Virginia’s life was graced with the love of Fred Ellsworth Sayers, a man who became her husband and her lifelong companion in a journey spanning over four decades. Their enduring love was the foundation upon which they built a family of ten remarkable children. Pursuing a life of opportunities and sunshine, the family ventured westward, eventually making their home in the welcoming community of Phelan, California. There, Fred passed in 1986.
Virginia was a steadfast member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses for over 40 years. Her hands were never idle; they were either buried in her garden soil, skillfully maneuvering a sewing needle, or lovingly preparing meals that would bring the whole family around the table. Her love for nature was only eclipsed by her love for her family and her pets, whom she considered additional members of her brood.
She leaves behind a remarkable legacy carried on by her eight surviving children: Judy, Janice, Nancy, Sandy, Gloria, Daniel, Fred, and Sara; her late daughters Linda and Brenda; her 21 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. Honoring her wishes, there will be no public funeral or memorial service. The love, values, memories, and traditions Virginia instilled in her family will echo for generations to come.
