Sarah Allai Campbell

Sarah Pauline Allai Campbell, 89, Lee's Summit, MO, passed away Friday September 1, 2006 at Lee's Summit Hospital after a brief illness. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 5 at the Lee's Summit United Methodist Church at Second and Douglas. Burial will follow at Lee's Summit Historical Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, September 4 at the Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to either the Lee's Summit United Methodist Church or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Mid America Chapter 5442 Martway, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66205. Sarah was born April 18, 1917 at her home in the Kansas mining community of "Washer Camp" No. 51, Crawford County Kansas to Henry and Rose Allai. Sarah graduated from high school in Arma, Kansas in 1935 and went on to receive a BS in Education in 1939 from Kansas State Teachers College, now Pittsburg State University, majoring in music. Sarah's first teaching assignment was teaching music in grades 1 - 12 in Diamond, MO. While teaching in Diamond, she met a young history teacher named Bernard Campbell. Sarah taught only one year in Diamond and returned to Pittsburg, Kansas to teach elementary school music. Bernard stayed in Diamond as high school principal and their relationship was built on week-end visits for a year. Sarah and Bernard were married July 27, 1941 in Leavenworth, Kansas. They stayed in Diamond, MO only six weeks after marriage. In October 1941 Sarah and Bernard moved to Lee's Summit, MO where Bernard commenced a 39 year career in education in Lee's Summit. She was preceded in death by Bernard on June 15, 2006. Married women were not allowed to teach in the public schools in 1942, so Sarah used her musical talent by substituting at churches playing the piano and organ and giving private music lessons for almost a decade. In 1951, Sarah was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system, which she battled valiantly for 55 years until her death, the last 37 years in a wheelchair. Despite the disease, she remained actively involved in the Lee's Summit United Methodist Church, the Ruth Circle of the United Methodist Women, the MPM Federated Club of Lee's Summit, Chapter JZ of P.E.O., Jackson County Retired Teachers. Delta Kappa Gamma, Sigma Alpha Iota and until her final day was the most loyal supporter of youth in Lee's Summit, Missouri. She was most proud of the award named in her honor, the Sarah Campbell Award, by the Lee's Summit School District, given to the senior female athlete who contributed the greatest contribution to the high school athletic program demonstrating moral character, citizenship and scholarship. Sarah is survived by her son Jack L. and his wife Marsha of Kansas City, MO, and daughter Nancy E. of Sacramento, California and her husband's sister, Eula Belle Campbell Morgan, Shawnee, Kansas and nieces and nephews. The family expresses their sincere gratitude for the many thoughtful caring people who have over the years provided care and support to Sarah and our special thanks to Maxine Stephens, Clara Lord, Carol Hickman, Mary Ann Baker, Ann Keller and Ella Coleman. Nancy and Jack will always be thankful for the loving and unconditional support of their beloved father, Bernard, who allowed Sarah to have the quality of life she so deserved. Arrangements: Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3rd St., Lee's Summit, MO (816-524-3700).