Sara Ann Jeffries Spear

SALISBURY, NC - Sara Ann Jeffries Spear, 69, died on Monday, July 11, 2011, in Rowan Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Born in Union, South Carolina, August 14, 1941, daughter of the late Francis Allen Jeffries and Sara Caroline O'Sullivan Jeffries, Mrs. Spear was a descendent of the former South Carolina Governor Richard Manning Jefferies. She was predeceased by a brother, Francis Allen Jeffries.

She was a 1959 graduate of Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. She attended Converse College in 1959 and graduated cum laude from Columbia College in Columbia, S.C in 1962, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion. In 1964 she received a Master of Education Degree in English from Clemson University in Clemson, SC. She was selected for inclusion in Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities and taught schools in Aberdeen and Havre de Grace, Maryland.

Sara Ann was a disciple of First Presbyterian Church, Salisbury, NC, member of A Woman's Sunday School Class and had served as Corresponding Secretary of Presbyterian Women. She was a member of The National Society Magna Charta Dames and Barons, the Columbia, SC. Chapter of The Daughters of The American Revolution, The United Daughters of The Confederacy, Historic Salisbury Foundation, The Rowan Museum, The Land Trust of Central North Carolina, The Salisbury Charity League, The Salisbury Rowan Symphony Guild, The Waterworks Visual Arts Center, The Gourmet Club, The Miscellany and Page One Book Clubs and was a former member of the Chapter One Book Club. She was an expert bridge player. She was a member and supporter of many other cultural and community groups. She loved her church, her family, travels with friends, entertaining, and trips to Sunset Beach, N.C.

Sara Ann demonstrated great strength and courage as she faced declining health. She loved people, she loved her family, and she loved her friends and neighbors. Countless friends were the recipients of her many kindnesses. Her thoughtful and caring nature was exemplary, and evident to all who knew her.

She was devoted to her husband Max, her sons Max and John, and their families and to her grandchildren. She exuded great joy, gratitude, and pride when talking about her family.

Sara Ann is survived by her husband Maxwell Keen Spear, her son Maxwell Jefferies Spear and wife Amy Joyce Sokoloff Spear, and son John Nelson Spear and grandchildren, Emma Rose Spear, Maxwell Jefferies Spear, Jr., John Randolph Spear, and Anna Catherine Spear, and brother-in-law Robert Farris Spear and wife Patricia and daughter Lauri Trainor, and many cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday July 14, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church, 308 Fisher Street, Salisbury, NC. Following the memorial service, the family will greet friends in Lewis Hall at the Church,

Interment will be in The Columbarium at First Presbyterian Church, following the reception in Lewis Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 308 Fisher Street, Salisbury, NC 28144.

Arrangements are provided by Summersett Funeral Home of Salisbury.

Online condolences may be made to www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

The family appreciates the love and support expressed by so many caring friends.