Sara Mclendon Sutherland

Mrs. Sara McLendon Sutherland of Union, SC, died Friday, January 20 at her home. Mrs. Sutherland, 94, was the wife of the late H. Lloyd Sutherland, DVM. She was born in Bishopville, SC on April 9, 1922. She was the daughter of the late Louine McLure McLendon and Robert Eugene McLendon of Bishopville. She graduated from Winthrop University with a BS degree in Home Economics in 1943 and earned her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Sutherland served as president of the Winthrop University Alumni Association and the Winthrop University Foundation. Sara lobbied for co-education and was awarded the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award in 2003 by her alma mater and was awarded the Order of the Palmetto. Mrs. Sutherland was an exemplary teacher and a leader in her community. She taught Home Economics at Union High School, kindergarten at First Presbyterian Church, and organized and taught in the first federally funded kindergarten in South Carolina. She retired in 1982 from Union County Schools. She was named Union County's Teacher of the Year in 1982. Sara was a charter member and president of the Junior Charity League, charter member and first president of the Union Cotillion Club, organized and led the first Brownie Scout Troop in Union County, was a charter member of the Friday Book Club, theTuesday Bridge Club and the Book & Garden Cub in Union. Sara was Circle Leader, Bible Study Moderator and Sunday School teacher for 25 years at the First Presbyterian Church of Union, SC. She was a Boy Scout den mother, a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, president of the SC Veterinary Auxiliary Association, and was a volunteer at Wallace Thompson Hospital for 39 years, earning numerous Volunteer of the Year awards. Mrs. Sutherland made a difference in the lives of those she knew through her love of teaching, volunteer work in her church, as a volunteer in the hospital and through her love of cooking for others. Sara stood as a source of inspiration to her family, community and alma mater. Mrs. Sutherland was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Lloyd; her sister, Mrs. Alex S. Fant (Melinda) of Union and her parents. Surviving are her 4 children; Jane S. Clyburn of Camden, Lloyd McLendon of Union, Sally (Bobby) Lyles of Columbia and Catherine (Eddie) Gaither of Greenwood; four grandchildren; Sara Catherine (Courtney) Corbett, Virginia (Charlie) Clyburn-Ipock, Sandlin (Danielle) Gaither and Cason Gaither; three great-grandchildren; Lucy McLendon Gaither, Covington Epps Ipock and William Clyburn Ipock. Also a very special, devoted niece, Gene Fant Reid. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Sara's devoted caregivers. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, January 23, at the First Presbyterian Church in Union, conducted by the Reverend Robert Alexander. Honorary pallbearers will be Norris Fowler, William Jeter, Dr. David Berry, Jim Switzer, Paul Switzer, Robert Little and Richard Little. The family will receive friends in the Ladies Parlor of the church immediately following the services. A private interment will be held in Bishopville. Memorials may be made to Bishopville Presbyterian Church, 215 S Main Street, Bishopville, SC 29010.