Sarah Pauline Jackson McRae was born on April 20, 1933, in Columbia SC. She was adopted by Pauline and Fuller Jackson in 1935 and began her life in the farming community of Dovesville in Darlington County. In 1940, the Jackson family moved into a home built by Fuller on a farm he purchased. This home became the center of Sarah’s universe for the rest of her life. Unfortunately, her father died later that year, and she was raised by a widowed mom with the help of friends, relatives and the extended family of the Dovesville Community and Black Creek Baptist Church.
Her childhood friends and acquaintances always called her “Sarah Pauline” in the Southern tradition of double names. Sarah had many mentors during her formative years including her Aunt Earline Jackson and her 2nd mom, Pearl Lincoln. She had a happy childhood and enjoyed socializing with relatives, neighbors and friends. She always felt she was one of God’s “special pets” and knew from an early age the grace and mercy of Our Lord and Savior.
Sarah attended Dovesville Grammar School from the first grade to the seventh grade. Her desire for learning and teaching was encouraged by Miss Louise Kirven and Mrs. Mary Gandy. These teachers instilled a quest for knowledge by teaching English grammar, arithmetic and science. She developed an avid appeal for literature, which followed her throughout her life. More importantly, these mentors instilled the need for proper etiquette, behavior and attitude.
She attended Saint John’s High School beginning in 1947. William Cain was the principal, and he became an important mentor and a lifelong friend. During high school, Sarah participated in many activities. She was in the Glee Club, served on Student Council, served as Editor of the Bulletin, and attended Palmetto Girls State. She excelled academically and graduated as Salutatorian of her class in 1951.
Sarah attended Coker College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education with cum laude honors. While at Coker she was Editor of the campus newspaper, The periscope and assistant editor of the Coker yearbook, The Milestone. She played field hockey at Coker and lettered in the sport. She was on the honor hockey team.
Sarah always joked to her mother that she was going to marry a “red headed” farmer. Surprisingly, she met Johnny McRae during her senior year at Coker, and her wish was fulfilled in August 1955. Sara and John McRae spent their first years of marriage in Cheraw, SC. She taught school in Clio and Cheraw. She gave birth to twin sons in 1957, John and Lane. She survived the challenges of raising twins and managing a teaching career. In 1960, Sarah, John and family moved to Darlington to take over her family’s farm and business. Sarah had returned home. In 1962 and 1964, she gave birth to 2 more sons, Allen and Ken. Sarah was an only child, but she always wanted at least six children. She was attracted by the closeness and comradery of her husband’s large family of eleven siblings. She felt accepted by his mother and siblings. However, economics, life events, and the reluctance of her husband dictated that raising four sons would have to suffice.
Sarah continued her career as an educator while taking care of her family and mother. She taught at St Johns High School, Mayo High School, and Brunson Dargan Junior High. Eventually, she completed her teaching career at the Career Center teaching office occupations. She served as an advisor to the Future Business Leaders of America for many years, served as a delegate several times to the South Carolina Education Associate, President of the Associate of Classroom Teachers, and a charter member of the local chapter of the Alpha Delta Kappa, a teacher’s sorority. Sarah was selected as Teacher of the Year by the Darlington Jaycees. She was appointed as Chairman of the Mary Jane Cain Memorial Scholarship Funds for many years. Also, she served as a board member of the G.C. Mangum Scholarship Fund. She retired from teaching after twenty-nine years of service in 1989.
Sarah was a lifelong member of Black Creek Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School for many years, sang in the choir, and served as a backup organist when circumstances required. She served as Chairman of the church’s bicentennial celebration in 1979, and she attended mission trips to Brazil and Mexico. Black Creek Baptist Church served as the social and spiritual center of her family’s life after she returned to Darlington in 1960. She developed many close relationships with her church family that are still prevalent today.
In her retirement years, Sarah remained active in community affairs. She served on the Board of Directors for the Coker College Alumni Association. Also, she and John served as Board Members for the Billie Hardee Boys Home. She functioned in the capacity of Guardian ad Litem. Likewise, she served as a counselor for The Lord Cares Ministries for years until her hearing impairment impeded her ability to assist. She remained active teaching Sunday School at Black Creek Baptist Church with the Faith and Works Bible Class.
Sarah always had a strong interest in literature, and she was an avid reader all her life. After the death of Johnny, she worked on publishing several books. Her first published book was Smiling Through the Years. This book was an autobiography of her life and how God bestowed his favor on an orphan child. The book provides insight and humor of growing up in rural Darlington County during the depression and World War II era. It brings to light the love, laughter, grief and triumph of a young girl growing into a woman. Sarah’s second publication was a daily devotion called Truths That Conform to Reality. Sarah states that she is a student of the Bible, but not a scholar. The devotion addresses daily encouragement for living a spirit-filled life. Sarah’s final book was completed shortly before her death. She felt God allowed her to live to complete this book on what his church should be to a lost and dying world.
Sarah is survived by her four McRae sons and their spouses: John (Patricia), Lane (Caroline), Allen (Tonja) and Ken (Lynne). Grandchildren are Benjamin McRae (Kimberly), Sarah Hawkins (Nathan), Bryant McRae (Sarah), Elizabeth McRae, Cameron McRae (Samantha), Shannon Oates (Jordan), Paul McRae (Emily), Kendall Flowers (Dalton), Jeffrey Scott (Brittany), Noah Scott (Bethany), Gabe Scott (Kimberly), Jennifer Knight, Kristina Weaver, Taylor Horne (Tyler), and Thomas Horne (Anne). She has fourteen great grandchildren. Also, Betty Jean Jones has been her lifelong childhood friend and relative. They shared many experiences and stories growing up. Sarah has left a strong legacy of faith and service for her family.
Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, John Lane McRae; her parents: Fuller Jackson and Pauline Jackson Sexton, her biological mother, Sylvia Dunning; her daughter in law Susan Powell McRae and her granddaughter in law Kimberly Brown.
A special thanks to Agape Hospice Care, Bethea Retirement Home and the McLeod Hospice House for their compassionate care.
Please send contributions to The Lord Cares Ministry PO Box 1457, Darlington, SC 29540 in lieu of flowers.