Sarah (Donehoo) Chapman

Mrs. Sarah Donehoo Chapman, age 89, of Vidalia, died peacefully on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Memorial Health in Savannah. She was born in Roswell, Georgia on November 1, 1935, to the Reverend Ralph M. Donehoo and Ethel Scott Donehoo. She was the seventh and last child born.

She was a 1953 graduate of Roswell High School, and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Mercer University in Macon and Master’s degree from Georgia Southern University, both in Elementary Education. She taught 1st grade at J.D. Dickerson Elementary School in Vidalia, retiring after twenty-five years. She was a member of the Georgia Retired Teachers Association.

In 1957, Sarah married Dr. George Warner Merritt. They moved to Vidalia in 1962. Sarah made Vidalia her home since then. Shortly after moving to Vidalia, she became an active member of the First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, worked with the Children’s Choir Program, served as Nursery Coordinator, and several various committees.

In the community, among other things, she was a founding board member of the Ohoopee Regional Council for the Arts (ORCA), sang in Community Chorus, was involved in several productions in the Franklina Playhouse, volunteered in the public school through organizations called “Friends of the School”, and served as scout leader for the Girl Scouts of Vidalia.

In 1982, Sarah remarried to Edward A. Blount, who was a lifelong resident of Vidalia. In 1998, Mr. Blount died suddenly. In 2002, Sarah married George B. Chapman, a long-time friend and neighbor. In 2013, Mr. Chapman died of a brief illness.

She enjoyed working in her yard, reading, playing the flute, cooking, and was always happy to share her pool and big slide with family, friends, and neighbors.

In addition to her parents, Dr. Merritt, and Mr. Blount, she is preceded in death by her husband, George B. Chapman; son, Daniel Warner Merritt; granddaughter, Ashley Merritt; and six siblings.

Sarah is survived by her daughter, Susan Merritt Eubanks and husband Jeff of Albany; her son, Scott Emerson Merritt and wife Gia of Vestavia Hills, Alabama; daughter-in-law, Dee Dee Dimick Shearouse and husband Craig; six grandchildren,  Kyle Warner Merritt and husband Joel, Mallory Eubanks Sandiford and husband Alan, Jeffery Adam Eubanks and wife Abi, Mejra Shea Merritt Gold and husband Trevor, Reese Thornton Merritt, and Colton Scott Merritt; one great-grandson, Jeffery Nash Sandiford; two stepsons, Wes Chapman and wife Abigail and Biram Chapman and wife Karen; and numerous step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 6th, 2025, at 11:00 at the First Baptist Church of Vidalia with Reverend Don Moye officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 until just prior to the service.

In lieu flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 631, Vidalia, GA 30475 or Brewton-Parker Christian University, PO Box 197, Mt. Vernon, GA 30445 or by visiting their website at bpc.edu.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.    

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