Sara Fish Chappell Ragan

FUQUAY-VARINA – Sara Fish Chappell Ragan, 92, passed away at her home on Thursday, January 5, 2023.

She was born in Wake County on October 28, 1930, the daughter of the late Elmo and Ellen Fish.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Bobby Chappell and her second husband, Clarence Ragan; sisters, Hattie Parker Whitted, Gladys Fish Ferrell; and brothers, Elmo Fish, Jr., Pate Fish, and B.J. Fish.

Sara is survived by her daughters, Fayeson Chappell Tilley and husband, Richard of Raleigh, Robin Chappell Fish and husband, Nelson of Willow Spring, Saralyn Chappell Fowler and husband, Dennis of Fuquay-Varina; step-daughters, Theresa Harrell and the late Buzz Harrell, Julie Madison and husband, Tal, Joan Penny and husband, Mike; grandchildren, Robbie Tilley, Rebekah Sedaca and husband, Andy, Richard David Tilley and wife, Laura, Rob Fish and wife, Laura, Alicia May and husband, Kevin, Maylon-James Fowler and wife, Brittany, Bobby Fowler and wife, Morgan; step-grandchildren, Elizabeth Harrell, Jonathan Harrell and wife, Sarah, Timothy Harrell and wife, Danielle, Ragan Laughlin and husband, Dustin, David Pate and wife, Anna, Michael Penney and wife Tracy, Keith Penney and wife Chelsea; and great grandchildren, Tilley, Libby, Luke, Ike, Ellie, Anna, Andelyn, Chappell, Hampton, Carolina, Beckham, Hayden, and Ellis; and step-great grandchildren Lola, Justin, Jaxen, C.J., Levi, Aiden, Logan, Samantha, Sloane, Aidan, Connor, Courtney, David, Bailey, Cameron, and Shane. Along with a host of extended family, whom she loved dearly.

Sara loved life and lived it to its fullest. She was a woman with many interests and hobbies. She wrote feature articles of interest for the Raleigh Times as well as the Fuquay-Varina Independent and The Progress newspaper. She loved to garden and was a member of the local garden club. She loved decorating her home with antiques and owned an antique shop. Her greatest joy and delight, once she met the Lord Jesus, was to be sure that others got to hear the Gospel. She knew full well and often said, “If you miss heaven, you’ve missed it all. Better you’d never been born.” She was a Sunday School teacher and Bible study leader at Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church. She was also a leader in Bible Study Fellowship and in the Women’s Prison ministry.

The family wishes to express warmest thanks and appreciation to Sara’s most recent and beloved caregivers, Rosie Locklear and Marilyn Goolsby. In addition, a special thank you to the wonderful staff at The Lillies of Hope Companion and Home Care and Community Health and Hospice for their loving care of our mother during her illness.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 10th, 2023, at Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. and the funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow the funeral at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Fuquay-Varina.

Memorial contributions may be made in Sara’s memory to the Gideons South Wake Chapter or Lottie Moon offering c/o Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church. To give to Gideon’s South Wake Chapter, please send to The Gideon’s International, Wake South Camp U32164, P.O. Box 26, Fuquay-Varina, N.C. 27526.

Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Angier. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com