Sally Lemke's Environmental Impact Lives On Through New Fund

​The “Sally Lemke Fund for the Environment” was established in 2023 to honor Sally Lemke, an avid gardener, environmentalist, lover of books and community advocate.

​This fund supports the Sally Lemke Rain Garden and projects aimed at building, maintaining, and preserving garden and natural landscapes that protect the Piney Creek Watershed in Raleigh County, WV.

Beckley Area Foundation (BAF), Piney Creek Watershed Association (PCWA), and other collaborating organizations formally dedicated the Sally Lemke Rain Garden on September 8, 2023. The rain garden is a project of the PCWA in cooperation with BAF. Financial support was provided by an American Rescue Plan grant from the City of Beckley to PCWA. Additional support was provided by the Beckley Sanitary Board.

​“Sally devoted her talent, energy, and resources to improving the environment, in any way she could and was an “environmentalist” before the term became popular. Sally’s family and friends hope this fund will serve to motivate others to be mindful of the needs of their community and environment.”

— Deb Barry | Sally’s sister-in-law

Dena Cushman, BAF Executive Director standing with Tom Lemke, Sally's husband and past BAF Board Member at the new sign installed at the Sally Lemke Rain Garden.

---

​Sally Lemke was born in Fisher, WV, and was the only child of the late Milton Crable and Evalyn Bobo McNeill. She attended Toll Gate Grade School, Moorefield High School, and Marshall University, where she graduated with a degree in Chemistry, and where she met her future beloved husband, soulmate and greatest admirer, Tom. She believed Tom was the best thing that ever happened in her life, and he felt the same about her.
 
Sally believed in giving back to her community wherever she lived. She served as Librarian for Huntington Museum of Art and was an active and founding member of the Tri-State Herb Society. She was also a member of Cabell County Planning Commission, League of Women Voters, Audubon Society, Regency Dance Club, the Phymosia Garden Club and at Bowers Hospice House. Sally was an archeology volunteer at New River Gorge National Park.
 
Sally loved to read and was an active member of Glade Springs Women's Book Club. Recently, as Co-Foundation Chairs of the Beckley Rotary Club, Sally and Tom obtained a grant to support the Imagination Library program in Raleigh County. She took great joy in supporting and keeping Tom organized in his many activities.
 
Her professional activities included teaching Biochemistry Lab at Marshall Medical School, and later as research assistant in the Pharmacology Department where she was involved in research studies of coronary and pulmonary diseases. Sally's work in research at Ashland Oil, Edgewood Arsenal and at Lehigh University were also sources of joy and accomplishment.
 
She was co-author of more than a dozen technical publications. In addition to establishing funds to support science education and scholarships at Marshall University, www.marshall.edu/foundation, endowments were created to support operating expenses at Huntington Museum of Art, www.hmoa.org, and community programs at BAF.
 
Among the many other interests Sally supported were the Rotary Foundation, United Way of Southern WV, Piney Creek Watershed Association, Just For Kids, Beckley Concert Association, WV Rivers, and Three Rivers Avian Center.
 
Anyone interested in donating to this fund may mail contributions with “Sally Lemke Fund” in the memo to BAF, 1210 South Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801 or click the button below to donate online. If you are interested in starting a designated fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email [email protected].

Support the Sally Lemke Fund for the Environment