Obituary of Sarah Nash Wilson

Sarah Witherspoon Nash Wilson, widow of the late John Snowden Wilson, passed peacefully from this world into the next on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Still Hopes Retirement Community. She was devoted to her Lord and Savior, her family, her friends and her town. In all areas of life, her judgement was sound and unwavering, and she was an inspiration to all who were blessed to have known her. She was born February 10, 1924 in Sumter, SC to the late Shepard Kollock Nash and Nancy Witherspoon McKay Nash. She was a graduate of Edmunds High School and attended Converse College. She was a member of the Tri-Delta sorority at the University of South Carolina. Following graduation from USC, she served as a Red Cross Volunteer Nurse at Tuomey Hospital during World War II. Steadfast in her faith, she was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sumter where she was baptized, married in 1946, and taught primary, secondary, and adult Sunday School for more than fifty years. She was also a member of Salem Black River Presbyterian Church, serving her beloved “Brick Church” in every capacity. She dedicated herself to the town of Sumter, founding the Daughters Book Club with the late Miss Margaret McElveen and participating as a member of the Sumter Art Club, Sumter Drama Club, Sumter Historical Society, Sumter Mental Health Association, and Junior Welfare League of Sumter. After the death of her husband, she held leadership positions in educational and business fields in Sumter. After teaching at Alice Drive Junior High School, she, along with many members of the Sumter community, founded Wilson Hall, named for her late husband. The development of this institution dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge was one of the great joys of her life. She was an integral part of the school and remained actively involved until her death. She served on the Board of the National Bank of South Carolina, the Board of the Tuomey Hospital Foundation, the Foundation Board of the Sumter County Museum and the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army. She was Chairman of the Sumter County Commission for Higher Education, a founding member of the Board of the Central Carolina Community Foundation, a member of the Appraisers Association of America, and co-owner of an antique store, “The Cottage Shop”, with Mrs. Pauline Harritt. She was also a member of The National Society of the Colonial Dames in America in the State of South Carolina and The General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Her commitment to bettering these areas of Sumter is proof of her love for her community, and the relationships she fostered along the way were the gifts of her efforts. She was preceded in death by a brother, Shephard Kollock Nash Jr. and a sister, Nancy Nash Reynolds. She is survived by three daughters, Nancy Nash Wilson of Sumter, Shannon Wilson Ravenel (Hal) of Charleston, and Helen Wilson Taylor (Walter) of Columbia; seven grandchildren, Sarah Nash Nettles of Spartanburg, Robert Mason Nettles III (Carrie) of Piedmont, John Snowden Wilson Nettles (Legare) of Charleston, Sarah Ravenel Dollens (Grant) of Charleston, Alicia Ravenel Boyd (Edward) of Charleston, Sarah Taylor Green (Alexander) of Houston, TX, Elizabeth Haynsworth Taylor of Boston, MA, and nine great-grandchildren whom she adored. She is also survived by four nieces and nephews, Helen Janes Reynolds of Charleston, William McKenzie Reynolds III (Catherine) of Columbia, Louise Baker Cromer (Jimmy), and Frederick Rutledge Baker III (Beth). She was predeceased by her nephew, Itly Wilson Baker. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 8 at 2:00 PM at Salem Black River Presbyterian Church and will be officiated by The Very Reverend Doctor John MacReadie Barr. A private burial will precede the service. Pallbearers will be Edward Hamilton Boyd IV, William Grant Dollens, Alexander Colgate Green, John Pinckney Harloe III, Shephard Kollock Nash Harloe, Frederick Babcock Moulton, Robert Mason Nettles, Jr., John Snowden Wilson Nettles, and William McKenzie Reynolds IV. Honorary Pallbearers will be William Hammond Bowman III, Robert Newman Boykin, Jr., Charles Rowland Burns, Frank McKinley Harritt, Samuel Marvin Hunter, Jr., Ralph Edwin Lee, Jr., James Edgar Mayes, Jr., Paul Whitworth Shaw II, and Harry Cooper Wilson, Jr. Her family wishes to thank Monica Foulkes, Ernestine Davis, Michele Walker, Mary Martin, Lillie Watson, Leslie Brown, Betty Coleman, and Jill Lee with Agape Care Group for their tender care and friendship. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wilson Hall, 520 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, SC 29150, or Salem Black River Presbyterian Church, c/o Mrs. Elizabeth Bevan, 135 North Brick Church Road, Mayesville, SC 29104. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral and Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter is in charge of the arrangements 803-775-9386.