Sally Royse was a beacon of love, faith, and strength, a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She passed away on May 2, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio surrounded by her loved ones. She transitioned from this world into the arms of her Creator, whom she steadfastly trusted throughout her courageous battle with cancer.
Born on October 11, 1959, to Walter and Dolores “Billie” Florence, Sally led a life woven with devotion, kindness, and an unyielding faith in God. Sally’s thirst for knowledge and her wanderlust led her to explore the world, beginning with a transformative year as an exchange student in West Germany after graduating high school. She pursued her academic passions at Harding University in Searcy Arkansas where she earned a degree in Economics, and later, at Ohio State University, where she earned a master’s in business administration in Hospital Administration.
In Thomas Royse, whom she met on a serendipitous Thanksgiving Day, Sally found not only the love of her life but a fellow adventurer. Together—and eventually with five children—they traveled the country and world, making cherished memories everywhere they went.
After the passing of her own beloved father, Sally assumed the mantle of CEO at FLOFarms, her family’s small business based in Plain City, OH. Yet her true calling lay in her unwavering commitment to serve others, evident by her role as a dedicated volunteer in her church, a council member of the Columbus chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA), and a leader for many years of the local CMDA Side by Side Ministry.
Sally saw the beauty of the Lord in the everyday and poured herself into everything she did. She loved studying her Bible, languages, gardening, baking, walking, hiking, photography, good science fiction, and playing with her grandchildren. Sally’s energy, kindness and generosity were evident to everyone around her, and her love for others and passion for God were palpable.
Sally is survived by her husband, Thomas, her children Emily Green, Amanda Fant, Austin Royse, Wyatt Royse, and Olivia Berrigan, and their spouses; her grandchildren Walter, Margot, Homer, Alice, Edith, Lee, Kohaku, Chitose, and Kita; and her siblings, Nancy, Kathy, and Walter Florence. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends whom she dearly loved.
Sally's spirit lives on in the lives she touched, the hearts she uplifted, and the legacy of love and faith she leaves behind—an example of hope for all who were privileged to know her. Sally's journey has found its rest in the eternal embrace of her Heavenly Father.
Visitation with the family will be Friday, May 10 from 4pm -7pm at Schoedinger Northwest at 1740 Zollinger Road in Upper Arlington. A service will be held on Saturday, May 11 at 10am at Discover Christian Church at 2900 Martin Road in Dublin.
In lieu of flowers, Sally requested donations to the Fox Chapel Area of Young Life, which is found at https://giving.younglife.org/s/?GiftType=Area&Name=foxchapel&AppealCodeId=70141000000tvBDAAY&BypassDesignationPage=false&MissionUnitId=a2s410000002wHtAAI&MissionUnitName=Fox%20Chapel&ClassCodeId=a2j41000000Nj93AAC&ClassCodeName=Operating
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