Sara Howell Hurst

Mrs. Hurst, 89, of Morganton, passed away Sunday, March 28, 2010, at Grace Ridge Retirement Community. Born Aug. 11, 1920, in Pineville, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Lillie Howell. Mrs. Hurst, described by her son as a model of Christian witness and the reason he is a minister today, enjoyed her years as a member of First Presbyterian Church where she was active in her circle, baked cookies and bread for church functions and was a friend to all. The women of the church recognized her unstinting service to the church by honoring her with a life membership in 1995. In addition to her church activities, Mrs. Hurst was an avid gardener who loved growing flowers and vegetables. Her hobbies included traveling with her husband, reading and working at the Mission Station Soup Kitchen. Mrs. Hurst will be remembered by her family as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her son, Dr. Gerald B. Hurst and his wife, Pam, of Katy, Texas; her daughter, Janice H. Rostan and her husband, John, of Valdese; grandchildren, Mark Rostan and his wife, Leslie, of Valdese, Michelle R. Frenzel and her husband, Kelly, of Charlotte, Joel Hurst of Houston, Texas, Nathan Hurst and his wife, Carol, of Tallahassee, Fla. and Melinda Horton Williams and her husband, Jimmy; five great-grandchildren; and numerous dear nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 65 years, Richard Branson Hurst; sisters, Willie Belle Whiteside, Lydie Reid Howell, Beulah Howell Black and Christine Howell; brothers, David Ray Howell, Marshall Gangwell Howell, Zeb Ardery Howell and Jerome Earnest Howell; and a granddaughter, Lara Horton Wiedenfeld. Her family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff of Grace Ridge and to Dr. Ed Plyler for the tender and loving care they gave Sara Bright. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 4 p.m. today at Grace Ridge in the Dr. Jean Ervin Community Room with the Rev. Michael Bailey and Dr. Gerald Hurst officiating. A private interment will follow at First Presbyterian Church's columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grace Ridge Scholarship Fund. Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton has the honor of serving the family. Condolences at www.kirkseymorganton.com.