Sarah Violet Wilkins Strain

Mrs. Sarah Violet Wilkins Strain, age 91 of 132 Hillside Drive, Shelby, NC, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at Wendover Hospice in Shelby. Mrs. Strain was born in Blacksburg, SC on May 31, 1923, a daughter of the late Talmadge DeWitt Wilkins and Olney Pearl Simmons Wilkins. She was a graduate of Blacksburg High School and attended Winthrop College. Sarah and Samuel Butler Strain were married on June 14, 1947. They lived in Spartanburg, SC on the Wofford College campus and in Grover, NC before eventually settling in Shelby. They were married for 56 years before "Sam's" death in January, 2004. Affectionately known to her many loyal buyers and sellers as "Miss Sarah," she became a licensed real estate sales agent in 1958. In 1960, Sarah Strain became the first female to actively use her Real Estate Broker's license, opening Sarah Strain Realty, Ltd. During her 45-year career as a realtor, she held licenses in both North Carolina and South Carolina and always remained an independent agency. Mrs. Strain had served on the North Carolina Board of Realtors and was a member of the Cleveland County Chamber. In 2007, the Chamber recognized "Miss Sarah" with its Zenith Award, which is a lifetime achievement award, presented to a citizen who has set a standard for extraordinary service and community involvement, thereby improving the quality of life for all citizens of Cleveland County. It was an honor, which she deeply treasured and appreciated. After that the Strain Children dedicated an indoor walking track to their parents at Cleveland Community College. Sarah and Sam were active members of Shelby Presbyterian Church, as long as their health permitted. They were loving and devoted parents and grandparents to four children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. They were blessed to be able to follow, observe, and support their children and grandchildren in church, academic and sports endeavors. The Strain children graduated from Shelby High School, as did two of their grandsons. This relationship to the school lead to many generations of Shelby High students and athletes referring to them as "grandmama and granddaddy." Surviving are two sons, Samuel Butler (Bee) Strain, Jr. and wife Martha of Shelby and Dr. Brian McCullough Strain and wife Charlotte of Roanoke, VA; a daughter, Jennifer (Sissy) Holcombe and husband William of Union; a brother, George Harry Wilkins of Blacksburg; a sister-in-law Catherine Strain Pettit of Gaffney; six grandchildren, Michael Wilkins (Wilkes) Strain, Jr. and wife Erin, Major Samuel Butler Strain, III and wife Jeni, Sarah Jessee Strain, Sarah Simmons Holcombe, Alexander McCullough (Alex) Strain, and William Eugene (Will) Holcombe, Jr.; two great grandchildren, May Elizabeth Strain and Michael Wilkins (Mack) Strain, III; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one son, Michael Wilkins (Mike) Strain; two sisters, Geraldine Wilkins Gualteria and Ida Marie Wilkins Young; and two brothers, Talmadge DeWitt Wilkins, Jr. and Fred Simmons Wilkins. Funeral services will be held, 3:00 PM Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at Shelby First Presbyterian Church conducted by the Rev. Dr. Luke Harkey and Rev. Pete Gilbert. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be, Butler Strain, Wilkes Strain, Alex Strain, Will Holcombe, Travis Glover, Joyner Flood, and Michael Jolly. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 3:00 prior to the services in the church fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to Shelby Presbyterian Church, 226 E. Graham St., Shelby, N.C. 28150 or a charity of one's choice. The family is at the home 132 Hillside Drive, Shelby.