Sarah Marie Seagraves

When Sarah Marie Seagraves, spoke about growing up, her eyes would light up as she shared loving stories about how much she was loved by her parents, grandparents and aunts and the wonderful life she had.  She took all of the love she received and lathered it on her children and grandchildren every day of her life. Her passion was her children and grandchildren, and she truly loved her extended family and friends. She devoted her life to helping others and giving of herself. She grew up in a musical household where she learned to play the pipe organ, piano, violin, and baritone horn. She was also a classically trained vocalist.

As a stay-at-home mom from 1954 to 1968, Sarah volunteered her time with the PTA, Retarded Children’s Program, Cub Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, and Zion Hill Baptist Church and Third Baptist Church.  She also volunteered at Greene Memorial Hospital and at the office of Stanley Earley, M.D., and Benjamin Lee, M.D., and she served on the board of directors for the Resident Home Association for 3 years.

In 1969, she joined Montgomery County Community Action Agency (MCCAA) as Neighborhood Center Director of the West Dayton Self-Help Center, where she assisted in job placement opportunities and developed programs to benefit and enhance the community. She was Executive Director of Household Employees of Greater Dayton, Inc. in 1973 where she helped improve lives by providing quality community programs.

Sarah began her employment with the City of Dayton in 1975 as Personnel Benefits Specialist and received multiple promotions throughout her career. But it was her position as Labor Relations Specialist that brought her the most joy, and it garnered her a stellar reputation throughout Dayton. Whenever her name is mentioned, it’s affectionately followed by, “She’s so nice,” “She’s tough,” “She knows her stuff,” and “You can’t get anything past her!” Sarah retired from the City of Dayton in 2001. She served on the board of directors of CODE Credit Union for 28 years.

In handwritten letters over the years to her grandchildren, she shared her life stories and imparted wisdom. She told them that each generation must strive to do better than the last, that failure is not an option, and to respect yourself, choose your friends wisely, and honor family traditions as you start new ones.

In a letter penned to her daughters in 2008, Sarah said she understood that her life on this earth would come to an end, and she took the time to express her love and desires and, of course, gave instructions on what to do upon her death. She told the girls that if they were reading the letter, she had relocated, and her telephone and laptop weren’t working yet, nor had she caught up with her mother, father, and Lottie Bell. She had already checked out the walking paths because there was no reason to get fat or be lazy. She said everyone should be happy, that it’s not the end of the world. Miss me and pray for my soul, she said, but please go on with your lives.

Sarah was born July 19, 1936, in Xenia, Ohio, to Dewey and Virginia May Jameson. She attended East High School in Xenia, Ohio, and studied Business Administration at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.

She was the older of 2 siblings and is preceded in death by her parents and younger brother James. She is survived by her husband David, their children Davida, Garry, Lynda, and Jeffrey, and grandchildren Mark, Logan, Keith, Joseph, and Jamarl.

Although Sarah has departed this earth, she will continue to live on and give life to others through her generous donation to the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine Anatomical Gift Program.   

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Resident Home Association, 3661 Salem Avenue, Dayton OH 45406, Tel: 1-937-278-0791, Web: RHA Dayton 

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