Sara Ouzts

1927 - 2023

Sara Rebecca Quattlebaum Ouzts, 96, widow of Joseph Ray Ouzts, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2023. Mrs. Ouzts was a resident of Wesley Commons and previously resided in Belle Meade for many years. Born in McCormick County, SC on April 29, 1927, she was the daughter of the late James Harmon and Lola Jane Rush Quattlebaum. Reared in Callison, Sara was the eldest and only daughter of fourteen children who enjoyed a joyous childhood with her loving and vibrant family. Sara had especially close relationships with her grandmother Martha Rebecca Reagan Quattlebaum and special aunts Clara Dorn Quattlebaum and Ruby Quattlebaum Bell.

Mrs. Ouzts was a loving wife to husband Ray for 70 years who were devoted life partners; and a caring and joyful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother where life centered on faith, family, and friendships. Mrs. Ouzts attended schools in Bradley and Greenwood and was known for her love of reading, ancestral history, antiques, and making home a special and memorable place for family and friends. In her early-years, Sara was a member of her beloved Bethel United Methodist Church in Callison where her family led during the organization and construction of the Church. A faithful member of Mathews United Methodist Church and the Willing Workers Sunday School Class, she served as a past president of the United Methodist Women and was a former member of the chancel choir. Mrs. Ouzts served as a former president of a Quattlebaum family association which provided oversight of the historic Quattlebaum cemetery near Callison as well as the planning for the annual reunions and events at Bethel.

Surviving are her sons Joseph A. (Tony) Ouzts of Spartanburg, and James (Jimmy) C. Ouzts of Charlotte, NC; granddaughters Rae Michelle Manley of Columbia, and Lacy Rebecca Ouzts Moore (John) of Greenwood; great-grandsons John Luke Moore and Hudson Joel Moore and great-granddaughter Wilma Rose Moore, all of Greenwood. Mrs. Ouzts is also survived by her brothers Glenn M. Quattlebaum of Kingstree, SC, and Michael E. Quattlebaum (Mary Frances) of Monument, CO, daughter-in-law Lynn Kirkland Timmerman of Greenwood, brothers-in-law F. Wayne Ouzts of Greenwood and Philip A. Ouzts of Winter Park, FL.

Mrs. Ouzts was predeceased by her husband Ray, daughter Deborah Rebecca Ouzts Manley, and son Barron Keith Ouzts as well as brothers: Edwin Milledge, James Harmon Jr., Paul Reagan, Elmer Rush, Robert Wilkes, Marshall Claude, Earl Wayne, Charles Thomas, David Franklin, Preston Carroll, and Gerald Kenneth Quattlebaum.

A celebration of life will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Gayle M. Beaudrot officiating. The family will receive friends at Blyth from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow in Oakbrook Memorial Park.

The family expresses appreciation to the Assisted Living staff at Wesley Commons, including Penney Harris, Vickie Suttley, Stephanie Reams, Val Houston, Lorraine Carter, and Tanya Henderson who provided dedicated and compassionate care along with fun and laughter for our family; and more recently the dedicated staff of the Health and Rehabilitation Center. Thank you to family friend Jean Langley who lovingly assisted Miss Sara, who shared joy and special times together.

Memorials may be made to Mathews United Methodist Church, 800 Wright Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646, or to the charity of one's choice.

Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Ouzts family.