Sarah Stephens Stanley, of Smyrna, Georgia, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2026.
Sarah was born September 23, 1940. A member of Smyrna First Baptist Church, she was a devoted wife and mother. She had a curious but quick-witted, funny spirit, with a lifelong desire to learn and experience the world around her. A former flight attendant with a love of travel, she fulfilled a lifelong dream to see the world, traveling with her husband and daughter to almost every continent.
She passed that same curiosity to her daughter encouraging her to keep learning and to treat others as she would want to be treated. Sarah was faithful and lived by the belief that it was better to give than to receive. Always willing to help anyone in need she passed that kindness for others on to her daughter. She was a devoted mother to her daughter and best friend.
She was preceded in death by her faithful and loving husband of 57 years, Charlie "Russell" Stanley; her mother, Opal Starr Nix Mobley; her father, Andrew Stephens; and several beloved aunts, uncles, brothers/sisters-in-law, and dear friends.
Sarah is survived by her daughter, Stacy Lynn Stanley of Kings Mountain, NC, and her beloved cats, Stitch, Aubie, and Monty; her brothers, Mac Stephens of Fayetteville, Georgia, and Gene Stephens of Rex, Ga; Niece Harriet Stephens Bankston (Jim) of Fayetteville, Ga; Nephew Thomas Stephens (Lisa) of LaGrange, Ga; her niece by marriage, Marla Garrison (Mike) of Smyrna, Ga; several nieces and nephews, as well as many dear and lifelong friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM at Saint Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church with Reverend Father Elliott C. Suttle presiding.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation in her memory to St. Mary's Help of Christians via online giving. https://saintmaryshelby.org/online-giving
Online condolences may be shared with the family through the Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory website.
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Stanley family. |
