Sarah Nestor Keener Crane Knowlton, 97, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the Madison Center in Morgantown.
She was born on June 5, 1928, in Morgantown, to the late Clarence Nestor and Mary Alice Wilson Nestor.
In addition to her parents, Sarah was preceded in death by her siblings: Virginia Hanger, Mildred Boyd, Robert Nestor, Hattie Cale, Jessie Smith and Geraldine Jordan; and her late husbands: Clifford Blaine Keener Sr., Paul Chester Crane and Kenneth Loyal Knowlton; as well as her daughter, Carol Keener Hilling.
She is survived by her daughter, Joyce Hawkins (Ralph Phillips) of Morgantown; sons, Clifford (Betty) Keener Jr. of Lovely, Ky. and Frank (Judy) Keener of Morgantown; 11 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren, with one on the way in September and another in December.
Throughout the years, Sarah was employed at the Morgantown Shirt Factory as a seamstress and in various departments at West Virginia University as a secretary, where she later retired from the WVU College of Law.
Sarah was a faithful member of the Riverside United Methodist Church in Westover for many years. After relocating to Sugar Grove to be cared for by her son and daughter-in-law, she found a new spiritual home at Sugar Grove Presbyterian Church.
She enjoyed reading her Bible and found great joy in sewing and crocheting. Her talent for design was well-known among her friends and family, for whom she often made beautiful clothing and other handcrafted items. Sarah was also a gifted storyteller, and her tales of growing up in West Virginia brought warmth and laughter to all who listened.
Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 28. Visitation will continue from 10 until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Friday August 29, with Pastor Jim Weber officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sarah’s memory may be made to Sugar Grove Presbyterian Church, c/o Frank Keener, 527 Mel Brand Rd., Morgantown, WV 26501.
Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Send condolences online www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
