Sara Edwards Stallings, 90, beloved and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, after a brief illness, just a few days short of her 91st birthday.  Born in Isle of Wight County, Sara was the daughter of the late Robert Russell and Hazel Scott Edwards.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, John Robert Stallings Sr., and her brother, Russell D. Edwards.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, two sons, Michael R. Stallings Sr. (Carolyn) and John R. Stallings Jr., (Lynn); six grandchildren, Andrea S. Clontz (Bobby), Sherri S. Woodyard (Curtis), Cynthia S. Edwards (Chris), Jason Stallings (Renee), Michael Stallings Jr. (Dana), Rob Stallings (Ashley); eight great-grandchildren, Connor Edwards, Amber Edwards, Colin Woodyard, Austin Woodyard, Brooklyn Stallings, Bristol Stallings, Phillip Merciez and Josh Merciez.

Sara was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the Wesley Bible class, and the former Ladies’ Bible class and the Nettie Bean Circle.  She was a founding member of the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.  In her pastime, she enjoyed nature, watching hummingbirds and flowers grow.

Family and friends will gather Friday, Oct. 16, 6-8 p.m. in Colonial Funeral Home.  A service celebrating Sara’s life will be held 10 am, Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. in Trinity United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jeff Cannon officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Luke’s Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family expresses sincere thanks to Betty Crocker and Schulyer Whitley, caregivers, for their love and support given to their mother.  They suggest memorial contributions to Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 117, Smithfield, VA  23431 or to Trinity UMC, Bldg Fund, 201 Cedar St., Smithfield, 23430 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Service arrangements are in the care of Colonial Funeral Home, Carrollton, Smithfield, Isle of Wight and the surrounding communities.  Family and friends are encouraged to share condolences and remembrances at colonialfuneralhomesmithfield.com.