Obituary of Sara Anne Proctor Turner

            Sara Anne Proctor Turner, age 87, of Wytheville, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, May 25, 2018. Sara Anne began life on February 12, 1931 in Marion, NC with her parents Robert W. and Frances G. Proctor. She was later blessed with two sisters Gray Proctor Clark and Frances Proctor with whom she would remain close her entire life. Sara Anne was the last living member of that family. 

            Sara is survived by three daughters, all of whom jokingly claim to be her favorite: Beth Turner Coakley; Meg Turner; and Frances Turner Mock. She has two sons-in-law, C.W. McMurry married to Meg, Kevin Mock married to Frances, and three grandchildren: Mia McMurry, Jackson Mock, and Quince Mock. She was close to her aunts, uncles, and cousins and many Lake Tahoma friends.

            Sara Anne graduated from St. Mary’s School in Raleigh, NC, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and held a Master of Social Work degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. 

            She had a lifetime commitment to serving others including over 40 years work experience with the Wythe County Department of Social Services, Mt. Rogers Mental Health, Wythe County Health Department, and Head Start. Before her retirement in 2001, she pioneered Home Based Family Services in Wythe County and worked as a recruiter/trainer for foster families with Lutheran Family Services. 

         She served on numerous boards and committees including St. Paul United Methodist Church’s Administrative Board, Family Resource Center Board, and Habitat for Humanity’s Family Selection Committee. She was instrumental in organizing the Agape Food Pantry and served as chair and volunteer for many years. 

        Sara Anne was a natural athlete and an accomplished tennis player. She enjoyed swimming, gardening, and hit her golf shots long and straight.  She loved socializing whether hosting her bridge club, inviting neighbors for an impromptu dinner party, or sitting on the porch at her sister’s Nags Head beach house with friends. 

            Sara Anne was a caring person with lifelong friends and a commitment to family and her community. She was a positive force for good and a strong leader with humility and a quick, dry wit. A woman before her time, she worked, earned degrees, raised children, and impacted many lives--all while retaining her Southern charm. She will be missed by many including her caregivers who provided love and support in her later years.

         Visitation will be at Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville, VA on Friday, June 1 from 6pm – 8pm.  A memorial service will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Wytheville, on Saturday, June 2 at 10 am with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery in Marion, NC on Sunday, June 3 at 2pm. Contributions in her memory can be made to Agape Food Pantry in Wytheville; Lutheran Family Services of Virginia; or St. Paul United Methodist Church. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com

Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.