Marie Annette (White) Sanford, 76, of Crawley, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at the Lindside Healthcare Center. She was born on Dec. 28, 1949, in Mount Vernon, OH, to the late Leonard and Edna (Keckley) White.
Her love for her family was second only to her love of the Lord. She was a lifetime member of the Grace Bible Church in Asbury. She was the woman who made everyone laugh. Marie was mom to many children besides her own. Her home was open to anyone in need so someone could finish school, have a roof over their head, or a warm home-cooked meal. Her church family knew her as the Kool-Aid and cookie woman.
She met Bill through writing letters to him while he was in Vietnam. While they parted company later, their three children knew that they loved and cared for each other and provided the best family for them. It was obvious by the number of other friends and family who spent so much time at their home.
Marie was raised on a dairy farm in Johnstown, OH, the youngest of four children. She was devoted to her children and family. She was at every sporting event, school event, and active in their lives. Her home was the place that all the kids wanted to be because Marie was in the yard playing with everyone.
She waited until her children were in high school before she went to work. Marie worked for 28 years as a paralegal for Preston and Weese. She went on to retire as a secretary from the Greenbrier County Board of Education.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents.
Those left to cherish the fond memories, and her love are her daughters Paula Sanford Dunford (Steve), Jessica Sanford Robinson (single and still looking); her son Billy Sanford; sister Charlotte Vernon; brothers John White (Vicky), Phillip White (Marcia); grandchildren Jordan Robinson (Bridgett), Ty Sanford (Cindy), Madison Anderson (Robert), MacKenzie Hundley (Caleb), Cierra Robinson, Lance Robinson (Emma), Bethany Dunford; great grandchildren Delilah, Riven, Evie, Jensen, Ridlee, Dominic; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, at Smathers Funeral Chapel, Rainelle. The family will receive friends and family from 5 p.m. until the time of the service.
The directors and staff of Smathers Funeral Chapel are honored to have been entrusted to care for Marie and her family during their great time of need.
Online condolences may be made at www.smathersfuneralchapel.inc

