Sarah Bowen Smith, age 90, Tennille passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024 surrounded by her family. A graveside funeral service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, December 18 at 11:00 a.m. in the Zeta Cemetery of Tennille. Reverend Lamar Brantley will officiate. Pallbearers will be Doug Watkins, David Watkins, Jeremy Gay, Don Coe, Scott West, Brian Wiggins, and Bryant Bowen. The family will receive friends at graveside following the service.
Mrs. Smith was a native of Washington County, the daughter of the late Helen Boyd Armstrong. She was a graduate of the Tennille High School, where she excelled in playing basketball. Sarah began her working career in textiles with J.P. Stevens, retiring as a Supervisor with Forstman Industries. Realizing she did not enjoy the slower retired lifestyle, Mrs. Smith then enrolled in classes at the Sandersville Technical School. Continuing her childhood love of basketball, she enjoyed watching basketball games on TV throughout her life. Sarah liked to make ceramics, watch birds, and possessed a special love for her dog, Caesar. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her sisters, Peggy Bowen Sheppard and Mary Jane Bowen Crook.
Survivors include her son, Danny Watkins and wife Shannon of Tennille; grandchildren, April Watkins Gay and husband Jeremy of Blythe, Kristin Watkins Coe and husband Don of Brooklet, and Kaylee Watkins of Statesboro; great-granddaughter, Sadie Gay; brother, Donnie Bowen and wife Sandra of Tennille; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Donations may be made to the Washington County Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 5713, Sandersville, Georgia 31082 or to the Sandersville/Washington County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 71, Sandersville, Georgia 31082.
The family may be contacted at the home of Danny and Shannon Watkins on Highway 15 South in Tennille.
Online condolences may be expressed at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.