Sarah Henkel Schell passed away peacefully at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill, SC on October 26, 2024. At the age of 92, and after a life of love, faith, service, and unwavering resilience, she was able to be united with her Maker and the loved ones that went before her. Sarah was born on October 11, 1932 to Lloyd and Nell Henkel in Lowell, North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin L. Schell, her sister, Joyce H. Schipman, and her son Eric F. Schell. She is survived by her daughters, Martha (Mike) Purser of Rock Hill, SC, Melinda Schell of Greenville, SC, and daughter-in-law, Beth Schell of Oakton, VA; her grandchildren, Amanda (David) Winters of Rock Hill, SC, Brandon (Robin) Schell of Reston, VA, Alex Schell of Reston, VA, Taylor Purser (Josh Weatherford) of Phoenix, AZ, and Evan Schell of Washington, DC; and her great-grandchildren, Malachi and Fletcher Winters of Rock Hill, SC and Ruby and Aurelia Schell of Reston, VA.
Sarah was a graduate of Central High School in Charlotte, NC, Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina (the WC) in Greensboro, NC, and Queens College in Charlotte, NC. She was a native Charlottean but moved to Rock Hill in 2018 to be closer to family. She enjoyed a career in the insurance industry and was an avid community volunteer. She was heavily involved with the local chapter of the National Kidney Foundation and served on multiple missions to Puerto Rico where her fluency in Spanish proved to be an asset. Sarah was a member of Sharon United Methodist Church where she participated in ‘Sharing Group’ and made life-long friends. She later became a member of Myers Park United Methodist Church where she participated in a weekly bible study group. Sarah had a life-long love of bridge and played multiple times a week. She was a member of No Trumps Bridge and several other bridge clubs in both Charlotte and Rock Hill. Sarah made an impact in this world with her kindness and hospitality. She will be remembered for her humor, her love for her family and friends, and her unwavering faith. Sarah lived a life of gratitude which allowed her to live a life of generosity.
A celebration of life service will be held January 4th, 2025 at 2:00pm in the Francis Chapel at Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.