Sarah Chamberland

      Sarah Lou Griffith Chamberland, also known as Mother, Mommy, Mimi or Mimi Lou, passed away in the loving care of her family on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

      She was born June 12, 1938 in Bryan, Texas to John Solon Griffith and Margaret Emily Hopper Griffith. The night before Sarah’s birth, Solon pitched a no-hitter in Senior League Baseball in Bryan, hence her life-long love of baseball.  

      The Griffith family lived in several locations, all in Texas. While Solon was employed for Brown & Root at the Houston Shipyard, during World War II, they met the Dan Kennedy family and became life-long friends. When the Griffiths moved to Hempstead, Texas they became one of the original families of the Hempstead Church of Christ.  Sarah met and married Calvin Chamberland on October 23, 1953. They were members of the A&M Church of Christ for many years. Sarah and Calvin also lived in College Station, Fort Worth, Snook, Bellville, Caldwell, Huntsville, and Bryan, Texas.

      Sarah loved family and friends. She and Calvin were young parents of 3 daughters. She worked as a secretary in local, county, and state agencies over the years. She went to work for the Texas Highway Department [later known as Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)] in Fort Worth in the Permit Office, then in the Houston District Office, before working many years in the Bryan District Office as the Traffic Safety Coordinator and their first ever Public Transportation Coordinator. She retired from TxDOT after 29 years in 2003.

      She played piano and clarinet and was in the Hempstead High School marching band for years. She learned to sew and became a great cook and hostess for our large family gatherings. She and Calvin always welcomed family and friends in their home for coffee, a meal, the weekend, or longer, as needed. She was famous in the family for her humor, often in the form of zingers. She loved to read the newspaper (The Eagle and The Houston Chronicle). She worked on crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and word finds. She was an avid sports fan, watching the Houston Astros, The Oilers (later the Texans), College football (especially The Aggies), and PGA Golf. While living in Snook, she followed their Bluejay High School basketball team and saw them win State Championships in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.

      She enjoyed traveling with her parents, husband, and children, especially to San Francisco, with Calvin for special anniversaries. They celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary with a reception for family and friends in Hempstead, Texas and then later with family by taking an Alaskan cruise. Twenty-five family members joined them on a trip to Galveston, Texas to mark their 60^th anniversary.

      When Calvin’s health required it, Sarah and Calvin moved into Assisted Living in Bryan. After his death, daughter Lisa Palmer moved Sarah to her home where Lisa and her son Bryan Palmer took royal care of Sarah. She was so relieved to return there recently, after staying in another Assisted Living facility, the hospital, and a Skilled Nursing Facility. She was “Glad to be HOME!”

      She leaves behind three daughters, Lois Stone, wife of Robert Stone of Waxahachie, Lisa Palmer of College Station, and Laurie Gerke, wife of Gary Gerke of Navasota. Also missing Sarah are her 5 grandchildren, Fran Palmer Eudoxie and husband David, David Nolen and wife Terah, Bryan Palmer, Jason Gerke and wife Janie, and Claire Gerke. Ten great-grandchildren also loved their “Mimi”, Jacob, Blake, and Sloane Eudoxie, Grayson and Parker Gerke, Ezra, Cornelius, and Naphtali Nolen of Oklahoma, Aubree Jo King and Chelsea Alvarado. Sarah is also survived by her sister-in-law, Carol Eplen and husband Bill Eplen of Waller, Texas; niece Rebecca Eplen; and, nephews Marc and David Chamberland and Charles and Robert Amsler.

      Sarah is preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Chamberland, her parents, and other loved ones, including 4 sons-in-law.

      The family wishes to thank Sarah’s caregivers and entire healthcare team over the years (numerous physicians, nurses, therapists, and many personal caregivers, including private sitters Pam Lott, Carol Bazy, and Dianne Bowers. A special thank you goes to Linda Rosas, Sarah’s Hairdresser/Confidante & Friend for about the last 40 years. Much gratitude goes to each of our church communities, our “extended families” who have lifted us up in prayer, visited us, brought food, etc. Recently, we are thankful for personnel of Bluebonnet Court, Alumine Home Health, St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital, St. Joseph Manor Skilled Nursing facility, and Hospice Brazos Valley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the A&M Church of Christ Building fund (P. O. Box 9063, College Station, TX 77842), Hospice Brazos Valley (502 W. 26^th St., Bryan, TX 77803), or a charity of your choice.