Sarah Bowers Smith

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Sarah Bowers Smith, of Hanahan, SC passed peacefully into eternity surrounded by her family on Wednesday, July 9. Born in Brunson, SC on November 30, 1929, Sarah was the youngest child of Allen Leroy Bowers, Sr. and Sarah Johnson Bowers.

Sarah's faith was the foundation for everything in her life. She devoted her life to God, family and friends.  She was the embodiment of the Proverbs 31 woman.

Sarah graduated Valedictorian from Brunson High School, attended Lander College and graduated from Rice Business College. On August 17, 1947, Sarah married Bertie Johnston Smith, Sr., her husband of 75 years. They  built a home in Hanahan filled with children and lots of love. To her dying day, she was invested in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with encouraging words, a birthday card, blueberries from her yard and always prayers.

Sarah's unwavering faith was a witness to so many people. She was a lifelong Baptist, serving as WMU Director for 25 years and serving on the Baptist Women's Council of the Charleston Baptist Association. She also taught VBS and was a Sunday School teacher until the age of 90. She was a member of Highland Park Baptist Church.

She is survived by her son, Bertie J. (Jay) Smith, Jr. (Betsy), daughters, Merrie Fisher (Mike), Christie Breves (Paul), and Jackie Pitts (Bill); son-in-law, Scott Brewer and "adopted" daughter, Jacqueline Knowles Brown. She is survived by grandchildren Ryan Fisher (Melissa), Alex Smith, Sarah Breves (Nate), Dallas Pitts (Ashley), Lacy Howell (Trey), Allison Burkholder (Jason), Maggie Welch (Matt), Abigail Wood (Daniel), Caroline Breves, Grant Smith and "adopted" granddaughter, Daniell Smith. Great-grandchildren are Nalla Fisher, Sadie Fisher, Lucas Welch, Cade Howell, Roman Welch, Wells Wood, Laughlin Howell, Asher Welch, Lawson Wood, Lucas Breves Gery and Landry Wood.

Sarah was pre-deceased by her parents, her daughter, Julie Smith Brewer and her siblings Allen Leroy Bowers, Jr. and Mary Bowers Collier.

Many thanks go to her loving caregivers, especially Anne Livingston, and to many faithful friends at Highland Park Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 13, 2:00-3:00 pm in the Highland Park Baptist Church sanctuary. The funeral service will follow at 3 pm. Burial will be Monday, July 14, 11:30 am at Bowers Cemetery in Brunson, SC. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home of Hampton, SC.

If you so desire, memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse or Highland Park Baptist Church Missions.