Mrs. Sarah Jane Cravey Flanagan left this world a better place on October 27, 2021, interrupting her 45th trip to Jacksonville, FL, for the UGA-FL football game.
As she was known to her nieces and nephews, Sarah or Say-Say came into this world on August 8th, 1956, to parents Robert & Sassy Cravey in Thomaston. Sarah blossomed into a beautiful young lady graduating from R.E. Lee Institute in 1974. She subsequently attended Young Harris College with her future husband, studying to become a teacher of young children. Upon graduating from YHC with an associate degree, she left for a six-week (Study Abroad) program that spanned Europe. She returned to UGA and began classes there, was engaged in October and married the love of her life on July 9th, 1977. Sarah finished her B.S. ED in 1978.
Sarah began her teaching career at County Line Elementary in Winder, and in 1983 won the Barrow County Teacher of the Year Award. She returned to UGA and completed her master's degree in Early Childhood Education in 1984. In 1986 she brought her daughter Katherine "Katie" Ruth (named for both her grandmothers) into this world in Athens.
Her new family returned to Thomaston, GA, in 1988, where she continued teaching at Westwood Academy until 1992 when she bore a son, Zachariah Livingston (named for both his grandfathers), and became a stay-at-home mom.
Sarah's father instilled the desire to travel in her at a young age, teaching her that "To travel is to live." She started planning trips with the help of an old friend and his tour service. She visited many Western Europe's capitals, but her favorites were Normandy, Bellagio, Monterosso al Mare, and Chamonix. She also made good on a wedding day promise to take her husband to her favorite romantic destination, Murren, Switzerland.
Sarah was an educator and teacher at heart. Former students of all walks of life remembered her for her kind ways and ability to get the best out of them and often called to see how she was doing and let her know how they were faring. She had no patience for liars, cheaters, or quitters and considered your word as your bond. Later on in life Sarah joined the mentoring program at a local elementary school to help disadvantaged students. Sarah worked with the Boy Scouts of America as a Den Leader and she was blessed with an Eagle Scout of her own. The Altar Guild at FUMC Thomaston was a favorite passion readying the church sanctuary for every Liturgical season. When she was young, working at Bible school was always a pleasure. Her kindness and ability to cook southern and Italian dishes got her on the Bereavement Committee where she served those in times of loss. Sarah's favorite social company was a group of ten women who referred to themselves as the Shooter Queens and were often mistaken for a lady's bowling team. The Queens were a tight-knit group of friends who traveled, laughed, played, shared, loved & cried together whether at the beach or the mountains, but as their name implies, B-52s were always on the menu.
Nana, Sarah's maternal grandmother, taught her and the sisters Canasta and Bridge before they were twelve years old during their summer stays at Atlantic Beach. Sarah was a member of several bridge clubs, and she especially enjoyed playing bridge at the Senior Center, where she was the youngest member and brought the average age down to 83.
The Red Cross was dear to Sarah, and she taught their Basic Aid Training and CPR courses before volunteering at URMC as a Pink Lady. Sarah worked in the Gift Shop, helping others find gifts and flowers for their loved ones. Reading was a favorite pastime which eventually led to her service on the local library board. Her greatest joy was the long-anticipated arrival of a grandchild. On July 4th, her wish came true when daughter Katie delivered a little girl to her waiting arms as they watched fireworks out the hospital window. Sarah was a giver and believed knowledge, character, honesty, and service were virtues worth serving. She was a proud Bank of Upson volunteer. She lived her life on her terms and found peace and love in God & family. Sarah was a blessing to all who knew and loved her.
Sarah Jane Cravey Flanagan was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Pinkerton Cravey and Francis Burpee Cravey.
She is survived by her adoring and heartbroken husband of 44 years, Randall L Flanagan, a daughter Katherine (Zubair) Hashmi and granddaughter Hannah Hashmi, all of Charleston SC, and a son Zachariah L Flanagan, of Atlanta. She is also survived by sisters Mary (Danny) Brinks, of Greensboro, GA, and Margaret (William) Moseley, of Birmingham, AL, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, her family would like any memorials to go to FUMC Thomaston Altar Guild, URMC Pink Lady's, American Red Cross.
Coggins Funeral has been entrusted with all arrangements. The family will receive friends Friday October 29, 2021 at 1:00 at FUMC Thomaston in the Family Life Building with a service to follow at 2:00 in the church sanctuary, Rev Bill Britt & Rev Andy Cunningham officiating. The family will have a private interment at Oconee Hills Cemetery in Athens, GA, at a later date.
