Sarah Elizabeth Clary Kennedy Minchew

Sarah Elizabeth Clary Kennedy Minchew passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2014, surrounded by her family. Born in 1925 in Jesup, Georgia, Sarah was the eldest child of Reverend Simon Peter and Grace Clary. She grew up all over South Georgia moving from one small Methodist church to another. She graduated from High School in Sylvester and then from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia during the end of World War II with a degree in Mathematics.

In December 1947, she married Hyram Mack Kennedy in Macon and accompanied him to Athens where he was attending The University of Georgia School of Pharmacy. During their years there, Sarah began her life-long passion of tutoring by helping many of Mack's classmates and fellow WWII veterans through their studies. They began their family there shortly before relocating to Savannah where they started their careers.

In July of 1960, Sarah and Joe Sylvan Minchew were married in Brunswick, Georgia. The couple lived on Isle of Hope in Savannah. In the late 1960's during a shortage of educators, Sarah returned to her passion for tutoring and became a teacher at Isle of Hope Elementary. She would later go on to become a Principal in the Chatham County School System with assignments at Tybee Elementary, Pennsylvania Avenue School, Hearty Elementary and retired from Gould Elementary. She was a very active member of her community holding positions in the Women's Auxiliary of the Pharmaceutical Association, Chatham County Parents and Teachers Association, and various State and Local Educators Organizations.

In the early 1990's, the couple retired to Metter, Georgia. Sarah enjoyed farming with Joe, Garden Club, Bridge Club, serving on the Metter Housing Authority Board and continued mentoring several students for as many years. She took special care to tutor and nurture children, especially those from fragile home situations.

Sarah loved to play card games and was an avid sports fan. Her favorite teams were the Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Braves. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed luncheons with her "girlfriends" both in Savannah and her post retirement group in Metter.

She is preceded in death by a baby daughter, Deborah Kay Kennedy; parents, Reverend Simon Peter and Grace Clary; sister, Ruth Clary Willis; son-in-law, James "Jim" E. Hilderbrandt Sr.; and mother-in-law, Sadie Griffin Minchew.

Her legacy and memories live on through the members of her wonderful family who survive her. Her beloved husband, Joe Sylvan Minchew of Metter; three daughters, Elizabeth Anne Kennedy Hilderbrandt Childs (Jack) and Sarah Jane Kennedy Hendrix (Jimmy) both of Metter, Donna Sue Kennedy Becker (Brad) of Canton; one son, Dr. Joe Tommy Minchew, M.D. (Janet) of Chapel Hill, NC; one brother, James Bradley Clary (Ruth) of Texas; a brother-in-law Jerry Minchew; sister-in-law, Theresa Minchew Clements; sixteen grandchildren, Jim Hilderbrandt Jr. of Baltimore, MD, Beth Hilderbrandt Phillips (Phillip) of Oak Park, Jeffery Hilderbrandt (Tiffany), Jenny Hendrix Grimes (Jason) and Brian Hendrix all of Metter, Ashley Becker McCord (Jamie), Caleb Becker, Joshua Becker (Amanda), David Becker (Tiffany), Abigail Becker Page (Chris), Lydia Becker, Olivia Becker, Raitis Becker, Raimonds Becker all of Canton, and Heather Minchew and Laura Minchew both of Chapel Hill, NC; fifteen great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Thursday, February 6, 2014, at Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, 223 SW Broad Street, Metter, Georgia with Elder Mike Newman officiating. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Sarah will then be laid to rest at Hillcrest Abbey East Cemetery in Savannah with graveside services at 2:00 pm. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers or food, the family requests that you honor her memory by making contributions to Communities in Schools of Candler County, Debbie Alymar, Executive Director, 210 S. College St., Metter, GA 30439 or the charity of your choice. Please sign guest book at: www.kennedyfuneralhomechapels.com.

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter is in charge of arrangements.