Sabra H. Rupe

Faith and Family ~ Friend to all ~ Never met a stranger ~ Loved a good laugh Sabra Humphrey Rupe, 92, devoted wife, mom and grandma died on November 11, 2020. She was born on May 14, 1928 on the Hildebrand Farm in Fishersville, Virginia. Her parents were Lake Price and Harry Alexander Humphrey. Her siblings included: Jeanette Yarus (Howard, both deceased), Elaine Petersen (Louis, deceased), Catherine Humphrey, Harry Byrd Humphrey (deceased), and Louise Deml (John). The family later moved from Fishersville to Pulaski, Virginia where Sabra was a star player on the girls’ basketball team playing many different positions for the Pulaski Cougars. She graduated from Pulaski High School in 1946. She went on to graduate from Radford College Women’s Division of Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI, Virginia Tech), now Radford University. She earned an Associate’s Certificate in Business in 1948 which at the time was the highest degree offered to women. Sabra held an array of jobs: as an YMCA instructor/towel girl in Pulaski, Virginia; as a ladies clothing store-cashier in Dublin, Virginia; as a clerk in the Inventory Control Office at Burlington Mills (Industries) in Dublin, Virginia; and as a clerical worker at Atlantic Research in Falls Church, Virginia. She became a fulltime, stay-at-home mom in 1966. Sabra met Theron Rupe in Pulaski, Virginia and they were married on March 19, 1965 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hollywood, Florida. After relocating to Falls Church, Virginia, their only child, Mary O’Bryan Rupe was born in 1966. In 1970, the family moved from Falls Church to Vienna, which has been Theron’s and Sabra’s home for the last 50 years. Sabra had many interests. She loved sports. She played ping pong and enjoyed watching both college football and basketball. Sabra enjoyed cooking for her family. Her sister, Catherine, called her an “excellent cook.” Sabra is known for her meat loaf, spaghetti sauce, kraut dogs (addictive), and always had a “purse snack” for her grandkids. Her snacks were an important part of the family beach vacations at Virginia Beach, Virginia; Ocean City, Maryland; Cape May, New Jersey; and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Word searches, jigsaw puzzles and card games, which included Rook, Crazy Bridge, Old Maid, Go Fish, and Solitaire, were also a part of her favorite activities. She enjoyed classical music and was a big fan of the Navy Band Concert Series. A lifelong Lutheran, Sabra was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church in Fairfax, Virginia since 1965. She participated in the Altar Guild, was a member of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, attended women’s bible study circle groups, volunteered in the church office, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, made countless Christmas Chrismon’s for the children of the church, and was a handbell and choir member. Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority played an important part in Sabra’s life. She exemplified the motto of Life, Learning and Friendship. She had reached the level of Pi Master Degree. She received the Golden Circle Certificate in 2001 for 50 years of steadfast devotion to the virtues of Beta Sigma Phi. She held many officer positions and committee chair positions and was given their highest honor, the Woman of the Year award in 1958 and also earned the Order of Rose award. Sabra is survived by her daughter Mary and her husband Dale Wilkowske and their three children: Phillip, Lauren, and Allison. Sabra is also survived by her sisters, numerous brothers and sisters- in- law, as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Theron Rupe, her parents, Harry and Lake Price Humphrey, her sister Jeanette Yarus and brother Harry Byrd Humphrey. Sabra will be remembered for her deep Christian faith and her devotion to her family. Sabra was a friend to all and never met a stranger. She loved a good laugh and spending time with family and friends. One of Sabra’s favorite phrases was “Don’t you know.” The short verse below is dedicated to Sabra by her niece, Chipper Whalan who remembers many stories and conversations with Sabra ending in her saying, “Don’t you know.” Don’t You Know Don’t you know that I am with you and not too far away Don’t you know that I will be with you throughout your earth-bound day Don’t you know that at every sunrise and at every evening star I will be with you and around you. Don’t you know. Don’t you know that I am with your papa and my momma and my daddy too We will be there for you in your joys and struggles too Don’t you know that Heavenly Father and Our Savior Jesus Christ are with us and beside us as we wait for you to join us In our eternal family of love Don’t you know. Dedicated to Sabra Rupe, by Chipper Whalan Online condolences and fond memories of Sabra may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Sabra’s name may be made to: Christ Lutheran Church 3810 Meredith Drive Fairfax, Virginia 22030