Ellen Scott (Brooking) Sanford, age 91 died peacefully on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at her home “PenKirk Cottage” in Bethany, WV surrounded by her children and her amazing and loving caregivers. She was under the compassionate care of Dr. Joseph DePetro.

Ellen was born on October 15, 1930 in Orange, VA and was the daughter of Edgar Scott Brooking and Eliza Ann (Blankenbaker) Brooking.

Ellen was a graduate from Orange County High School in 1948. Following her graduation from Madison College in Harrisonburg, VA (now James Madison University), in 1952, she worked at the Orange County School board and taught business education at Orange High until 1958.

On July 7, 1956, she married her former OCS classmate, Benjamin Hill Sanford, at Belmont Farm. She joined him in dairy and beef farming at Goldenrod Farm, Rapidan, VA and they began raising a family of four children in 1958. In 1969, they moved their family farm operation to LaBelle Farm, near Bethany, WV. For almost 60 years, she was an active partner in farming, managing the bookkeeping and finances and assisting with other farm tasks.

Ellen was preceded in death by her beloved Ben in December 1999. In 2001, she moved to PenKirk in Bethany.

Ellen continued to keep active and engaged by playing bridge, which she enjoyed locally and with online bridge buddies far and wide. She was an active member of Bethany Memorial Church. In later years, she initiated a social group called: “LOL” or Ladies Out to Lunch. She was an avid reader and enjoyed her years participating in the Bethany Book Club.

Ellen also appreciated vegetable and perennial gardening and loved starting little dogwood trees and baby Lenten roses. She loved history and paid close attention to her family stories passed down and family history. Early on, she saw the value in gathering and collaborating with other extended family to get it all carefully documented and preserved for future generations. She definitely had a penchant for retelling and writing down a good story herself.

Ellen B. Sanford was a loving and good-natured wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved being engaged in her family’s lives and activities.

She is survived by her four children, Evelyn Sanford Chehi (Bob), Ann Sanford Paull (Steve), Jo Sanford Haizlett (Jim) and Harry Sanford (Chatman Neely), ten grandchildren, Ben Haizlett, Jennie Paull Ryan, Mary Chehi Del Duco, Will Haizlett, John Paull, Ellen, Rosalie, Clara, Molly and Jack Haizlett, nine great grandchildren, two sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Bethany Memorial with Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, presiding. This service will be live-streamed through the link at the bottom of the obituary.

The Chambers Funeral Home, Wellsburg, WV (304)737-3551 is honored and privileged to assist the Sanford family during this time of deep sorrow and remembrance.

Please add or view condolences, photos and stories at www.chambersandjames.com

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