Individual Details

Death

Charlotte, North Carolina - Sarah Motley Tobin, age 91, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on January 31, 2024 in Charlotte, NC while in the devoted care of her Southminster caregivers and Via Health Partners, formerly Hospice of Charlotte. Born Sarah Ann Motley on August 31, 1932 in Cabarrus County, NC, Sarah was the daughter of the late David Alexander Motley and Mary Furr Motley. Sarah was preceded in death by her loving husband, Hugh, along with seven brothers and two sisters. She is survived by one sister, Martha Linker (Mason); four daughters, Anne Tereshenko (Sergei), Sally Robinson, Harriett Twiddy (Tom), and Mary Jane Gommel (Ken); ten grandchildren, Merritt Tise (Roger), Jimmy Fryar, Kate Crescentini (Bobby), Dmitry Tereshenko, Lindsey Brader (Chris), Megan Price (Brandon), Daniel Robinson (Mayce), Anna Schmid, Patrick Gommel, and Caroline Gommel; 11 great-grandchildren, Tripp Tise, Tobin Tise, Izzy Crescentini, Marc Crescentini, Evan Brader, Carter Brader, Declan Brader, Madison Price, Heidi Price, Reese Price, and Blake Robinson; and many nieces and nephews and extended family members. After finishing Odell High School, Sarah graduated from the Bowman Gray School of X-Ray Technology and became an x-ray technician at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. In December 1951, Sarah administered chest x-rays for a handsome young Army veteran and recent Clemson graduate named Hugh Merritt Tobin. Hugh was smitten by the beautiful, sparkly-eyed young technician and worked to contact her outside of the hospital. His persistence paid off and Sarah and Hugh were married exactly one year later in Clemson, SC on December 27, 1952. Sarah and Hugh lived in Greenville, SC for a while before returning to Charlotte to start their family. They were married for 51 years prior to Hugh's death. As a devoted member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter in Charlotte, Sarah served with her faith in numerous capacities, most notedly as head of the Altar Guild for 25 years. She cherished Episcopal church liturgy and beautiful church music and enjoyed directing weddings and taking meticulous care of the church. Sarah never knew a stranger and treasured countless friends across all stages of life. A quintessential southern hostess, Sarah loved nothing more than hosting parties, family meals, and visits in her home. She had a generous spirit and a gift for making people feel special and loved. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, baking, and caring for people and she gifted family, friends, her church, and others with beautiful flowers, church vestments and hangings, hand-made clothing, and pound cakes. Sarah spent the last three years of her life at Southminster Retirement Community. The family would like to thank all of the loving Southminster caregivers and staff who affectionately dubbed Sarah "mayor" of the Embrace Health Carmel Neighborhood. Sarah continued her legacy of caring for others with her Southminster family, watching over and caring for them and spreading her love. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, 2701 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209. The family will receive visitors immediately following the service. The burial will follow the reception at Evergreen Cemetery, 4426 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter Altar Guild. Robertson Funeral & Cremation Service is serving the family.
Charlotte Observer, February 2, 2024