Thelma S. Varner

Thelma Ileta Sensabaugh Varner, peacefully passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at her home in Staunton, Virginia. 

The family is grateful for the loving and compassionate care that she received from her caregivers, Sandy and Steve Hall, Shirley Hall, Care Advantage, and the Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah. 

She was born on July 28, 1928, in Augusta County, to the late Harry Tucker and Ida Miller Sensabaugh.

For over forty years, Thelma was employed by the Augusta County School Board as a Librarian-Media Clerk. She was an avid reader and passionate about the history of Staunton and Augusta County. 

She was an active lifetime member of Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church in Middlebrook, Virginia.

Thelma had a zest for life that extended beyond the library walls. She enjoyed traveling and exploring new places with her husband and friends. Thelma loved tending to her gardens, sitting on her porch talking with her neighbors, and supervising home improvement projects. She looked forward to her Wednesday night dinners out as well as gatherings with family and friends. She had a love of cats especially her late cat, Sammi, and her current cat, Smokey.

She greeted every day with a positive attitude, a smile on her face, sharp wit from her lips and a thank you.

She is survived by her nephew, Howard Fulton Sensabaugh, Jr. (Ann) of Richmond; her nieces, Sylvia Wagner Baker of Staunton and Kimberly Sensabaugh Schultz (Donald) of Virginia Beach; a great-niece, Denise Roberts (James); two great-nephews, Dwight and Louis Schultz; great-great nephew, Brian Wade (Rebecca); great-great niece, Brandy Southhard (Andy) and son, Deacon; and stepson, C. Ray Varner of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, William Oaklyn Varner; stepdaughter, Annette Lee Varner Wood; stepson, William Dale; sister, Russell Clemmer Sensabaugh; sister, Katherine Sensabaugh Wagner; brother, Howard F. Sensabaugh, and his wife, Phyllis Fultz Sensabaugh; and nephew-in-law, Richard Baker.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, March 3, 2025, in the Henry Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Stephen Henderson officiating.

Interment will follow at Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Churchville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah (c/o Augusta Health Foundation, P.O. Box 1000, Fishersville, VA 22939) or Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund (334 Mt. Tabor Rd, Staunton, VA 24401).