Sarah Secrest

Sarah Hasty Secrest (May 11, 1927 - September 17, 2022) leaves a legacy of serenity and strength from a long life well lived. Sarah was a true daughter of Thomasville, Georgia, born under the Big Oak, in her grandparents' John and Netta Chastain's home. The eldest daughter of Gordon and Minlu (Chastain) Hasty, Sarah graduated from Thomasville High School in 1945, and attended Sullins College and the University of Georgia, marrying Nathaniel Pratt Secrest in 1949.
Sarah and Pratt enjoyed contributing to their much-loved community together until his death in 2011. Sarah's greatest joys were her faith, family and friends. She was devoted to supporting her husband for 62 years, raising her three daughters, offering gracious hospitality, and spreading God's love in her own gentle manner. A true lover of nature, she loved birds, gardening, and also enjoyed all kinds of needlework and creating many beautiful keepsakes for friends and family.
Sarah served the Ramble Rose Garden Club, Magna Carta, Colonial Dames, Daughters of the American Revolution, Junior Service League, Archbold Hospital Auxiliary, First Baptist Church Sunday School, Girls Scouts, and was a co-founder of Brookwood School. With Pratt, a director of Rotary International, she was an unofficial ambassador for cultural goodwill, accompanying him around the world representing Rotary.
Sarah is survived by her sisters Carol Hasty Singletary of Thomasville GA, and Rebecca Hasty Boswell (Bill) of Hendersonville NC; daughters Cathy Secrest Ray (Hank) of Phoenix AZ, Lucinda Secrest McDowell (Michael) of Wethersfield CT, and Susan Secrest Waters (Glen) of Thomasville, GA; nine grandchildren Catharine Ray Russell (Michael), Henry Ray (Christina), Pratt Ray (Nicole), Justin McDowell, Tim McDowell, Fiona McDowell (Tim Karpoff), Margaret McDowell Stallings (Stephen), Sarah Waters Ashe (Matt), and Rachel Waters Click (Cody), plus14 great-grandchildren - Madison, Brayden, and Landen Russell, Griffin and Carter Ray, Lincoln, Maverick, and Daisy Ray, Saoirse, Hugh, and Bram Karpoff, Thomas Stallings, and Lizzie and Emily Ashe, and several nieces and nephews.
There will be a Memorial Service at the First Baptist Church Chapel on Saturday, September 24 at 12:30 pm. Visitation is Friday, September 23, from 4-6 pm at Allen & Allen Funeral Home. Memorial gifts may be given to The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association or Brookwood School. Family and friends are invited to visit her online tribute page at www.allenfh.com