SARA PRINGLE KELLEY

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"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Sara Pringle Kelley, widow of the Rev. Willie Kelley, entered into eternal rest on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, in Anderson.

She was born on April 14, 1927, in Wedgefield, to the late Thomas and Rachel Galloway Pringle. She was one of 10 children born to this beautiful godly union. Sara was educated in the public schools of Sumter and graduated from St. Michael High School with honors. After graduation, she continued her education at the historic Benedict College in Columbia.

Sara was employed by Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, and worked in several positions, before retiring as manager of their snack bar, which was called the "Dog House." While there, Sara touched the lives of many military personnel with her encouraging words of wisdom. She knew how to brighten up anyone's day.

Sara was born again at an early age and was a lifelong member of Union Baptist Church in Wedgefield. Sara loved singing to the glory of God. During the devotional services, you could always depend on Sara to lead the congregation in a beautiful hymn. Sara loved to worship God and attended services faithfully, until she encountered health challenges which caused an interruption in her attendance. However, Sara, being a fighter, didn't allow those challenges to block her spiritual growth. She simply started using social media and tuned in on the conference call-in line to continue growing in the word and encouraged others to do the same. Sara always reminded people about faith coming from the word of God and didn't mind using hers. In addition to studying the word, Sara was also a "prayer warrior" for her family. She was actively involved in several ministries at Union, including the missionaries, choir, deaconess, culinary and minister wives. Sara enjoyed working

with food. It was her passion. For many years, she served as the director of Union's Culinary Ministry.

One of the joys of Sara's life was her gardening. She loved planting, harvesting and sharing her veggies with neighbors and friends. When her garden was in full bloom, Sara would often walk out into it and just smile while praising the Lord. She had the best organic soil, she believed, in Wedgefield. She always had bumper crops. In 2015, the Lord blessed her to achieve the state record with the growth of a large sweet potato weighing 12 pounds. This potato was shared at Union Baptist Church during a fellowship meal for all to enjoy.

Sara was preceded into eternal rest by her husband, the Rev. Willie Kelley; a son, Willie Darnell Kelley; parents and many of her siblings.

Sara's generous love and memories will be forever cherished by her children, Cynthia Spann, Orienthia (John) Brimfield and Ivan (Christine) Kelly; one sister, Thelma Pringle; grandchildren, Terrence (Miyosha) Brimfield, Christina Brimfield, LaToya Spann, James Spann Jr., Jermaine Spann, Kyra Kelly, Jared (Twila) Kelly, Tenikie (Marcus) Johnson, Tondra Charles, Todd Anderson, Laronda Kelly, Kelonda Kelly and Keaton Kelly; 11 great-grandchildren; a great-grandson; special friends, Loretta Thompson and Daniel Green; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job's Mortuary.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem Ave., Sumter, SC 29150 with Pastor David Brown, eulogist.

Interment will follow at Hillside Memorial Park.

Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuaryinc@gmail.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.