Sara Carroll Elliott

The Legacy of a woman who left an indelible mark on our hearts Sara Jane Carroll Elliott December 19, 1937 to December 31, 2020 The aging process is part of God?s plan for creation. Everyone wants to grow up but few want to grow old. One?s life journey is an unchartered course. The course is made up of anxieties, fears and disappointments. The course is also made up of promises, hopes and dreams. The way one thinks and feels about life is more important than one?s physical state. These words are an extract from Sara Elliott?s thesis during her Theology studies at Duke University in 1985. Reverend Sara Jane Carroll Elliott was born in Denton, North Carolina on December 19, 1937. She was the youngest of seven children to William Carroll and Mada Loflin Carroll. Sara played sports and graduated from Denton High School. She was married not long after high school to the late Bobby Elliott. Sara lived a faithful and purposeful life with an early career at church, starting in the office. Later, she went to UNC Charlotte for her Undergraduate Degree and then to Duke University for a Masters in Theology. Sara?s thesis on ?The Older Woman? was written with insights of two main ideas. One, the freedom of a woman to make her own choices early in life will most likely continue throughout the aging process. Two, women who have had the experience of making their own choices lead a healthier, creative, and happier life. Sara?s view was that if a person responds positively to a traumatic experience of life, it can facilitate a new awareness level and be a catalyst for change and growth. Her influences for her writings were women within her church but also her sisters, the late Doris (Jo) Kepley and Frances (Sandy) Bailey, who she admired for their choices. Sara?s belief was that we are never truly too old to reinvent ourselves or to change our story. We just need to be willing and flexible enough to adapt to new ideas and the choice and freedom to control the journey with a proper attitude toward life is essential. It is never too late to learn something new, to write a book, to paint a picture, to live out one?s calling. Sara?s life of being a wife, mother, grandmother (Grammie), student, colleague, teacher, minister and friend has touched a countless number of people. She has counseled and married couples, baptized adults and babies. She gave to others throughout her life without wanting anything in return. Many say she was special but most say she was extraordinary. Others believe she was indeed ?an angel among us? as the phrase goes. Sara Elliott had rare gifts, intuitions and insights. She had the ability to see the person who had lost dreams, hopes diminished or no self-worth and through her kindness and encouragement, the lost dreams started to dream, the hopeless found hope and the one without self-worth found self-assuredness. Sara changed lives. She had the ability to love unconditionally, without judgement. Her smile gave comfort, her laugh joy and she danced as if no one was watching! Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. ? 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV Sara leaves behind a legacy of kindness and joy. Her spirit lives on through her surviving family members: Sister, Betty Trexler, children, Bill Elliott and wife, Delores, Kim Elliott Palumbo and husband Dave, David Elliott and wife, Dwan. Her grandchildren, Dondrea and John Bryant, Zack Hargett, Joan Palumbo, Morgan Hargett, Dixie, Scott and Jessica Roberts. Her great grandchildren, Ryleigh and Tanner Bryant and Mason Roberts. Surviving are also many, many beloved nieces and nephews, sisters-in-laws, Rhonda Carroll, Patricia Carroll, Melanie Elliott, Fran Elliott and brother-in-law, Wayne Elliott. A graveside service to celebrate Sara?s life will be on Tuesday, January 5 at 1 pm. The location is at Lineberry United Methodist Church, 2559 Handy Road, Denton, NC 27239. Reverend Linda Kelly, D.S. and Reverend Dr. Sam Moore Jr. will lead the service. The Elliott family would like to thank Aldersgate for the love and care given to our mother, Reverend Sara Carroll Elliott. Donations may be sent to Aldersgate Cuthbertson Village Memory Care Enrichment, Charlotte, North Carolina. https://aldersgateccrc.com/donate. Memorials and Arrangements: Stanly Funeral & Cremation Care https://Stanlyfuneralhome.com Sara Carroll Elliott - You have filled my Heart with great joy. ? Psalm 4:7 ? You will be missed.

Sara Carroll Elliott

January 2, 2021