Sarah Garner

Sarah Ruth Garner was born in Sampson County on November 19, 1936, to her loving parents, Ruth and Sarah Williams. She was raised in the community of Kitty Fort, and attended Pleasant Grove High School. A native North Carolinian all her life, Sarah was employed in textiles, working at Morganite and Fieldcrest—in the areas of carpeting, auto, mechanical and electronic parts. 

But where her true love really resided, was with her family. Affectionately known as “Ma,” “Grandma,” “Grandma Sarah” and “Booty,” family members were incredibly important to her and she loved each and every one of them. This was evident by the number of pictures that she kept throughout her home. As her family grew, so did the memories—especially during major holidays. In particular, during Easter and Christmas, not only were her home and yard quite festive, but her kitchen was filled with good food! 

Besides gardening and keeping a clean home, her door (and kitchen!) was always open—because Sarah could cook! Whether or not family and friends were coming over to partake in some of her fried chicken, chicken pastry, sweet corn, cakes and sweet potato pies or a slice of liver pudding (of course, on a piece of loaf-of-lite bread), Sarah never let anyone leave, feeling hungry or without a plate to go!

She was the “family matriarch” and always exemplified the values of respect, unity and protection. She believed that family was at its best, when everyone worked and loved together; and, depended on each other. Nowhere was this more apparent, than in the support of her grandchildren, and their children, as they progressed through school and college. It was nothing to see Grandma Sarah, cheering on one of her own, at a football game, track meet, cheerleading competition, fashion show or graduation. The same was true, if you caught her at home, cheering on the Cowboys on a Sunday afternoon or traveling around the country to visit family and friends—and taking in a little time and fun at a casino!

Grandma Sarah also had a deep sense of devotion to and care for her church. She was a life-long member and faithful attendee of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Clinton, North Carolina. She knew Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, and lived out Matthew 7:12 every day: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Houston Garner (husband), Co Lamb (sister), Thomas Williams (brother), Herbert Williams (son) and Robert Garner (son). Those who will continue to cherish her memory are her sisters, Genie Williams and Louise Herring (Johnny); brother-in-law, James E. Garner (Regina) and sister-in-law, Annie Garner; children, Larie Culbreth (Ronald), Dorothy Garner (Robert), Lenora Garner (Terry), Darris Garner (Lynn), Michael Williams (Sarah) and Tarino Best; grandchildren, Kenneth Culbreth, Sr. (Davida), Latanya Mathis, Terrance Garner (Jessica), Shawn Garner, Avery Peterson (Benita), Natasha Garner, Shamika Brown (Andre), Chris Holley (Tori), Lamar Cromartie (Lauren) and Shanitra Holley; and, a hosts of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and family friends. She also leaves behind three, dear friends: Betty Leach, Doris Tindal and Ruth Aycock.

Graveside Service: Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at Sandhill Cemetery in Clinton, NC at 1:30 pm. 
 

Public Walkthrough: Wednesday, April 28, 2021 12:00 to 1:00 pm at Butler & Son Funeral  Services in Clinton, NC.

Graveside Service will be live-streamed through Butler & Son Funeral Home Facebook page at the time of service. 
 

Masks are required to attend public walkthrough and graveside service. 
 

Butler & Son Funeral Services

Clinton, NC

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