Sarah Francis Switzer

Sarah Francis Crawford Switzer, born April 29th, 1919 in Oriskany, Virginia, departed this life surrounded by family and friends on a crisp, bright Sunday morning, March 22nd, 2015. "Aunt Sarah" as she was known to generations of nieces, nephews, and adopted children and grandchildren, leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, and kindness, and will be sorely missed. Known for her excellent cooking, especially her brownies and fried chicken, she also loved music, possessed a strong soprano voice, and could play almost any hymn on the piano from memory. She loved knitting, daschunds, her family, and especially, her God. Sarah is preceded in death by her husband Raymond; parents George and Leona Thompson Crawford; four sisters: Cleo, Evelyn, Zylpha, and Juanita; and three brothers: William, Lawrence, and Harold. Sarah is survived by her youngest sisters, Mildred Humphries and Thelma Holdren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends both locally and in her former home of Charleston, W.V. Special thanks are due to caregivers Jill Satchell, Sarah Yopp, Linda Greenway, and Amedysis Hospice, and, especially, Violet Clingenpeel, who lived with, looked after, and cared for Sarah for four years, and truly became part of the family. It was especially meaningful to Sarah that Violet was a niece of her beloved husband, Raymond. The family will receive friends Friday, March 27th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Paitsel Funeral Home in New Castle. A Celebration of Life, Rev. Harold Crawford, Jr., officiating, will take place Saturday, March 28th, 1:00 p.m., at King Memorial Church, 25 Oriskany Square, Oriskany, Va. 24130, at the church that her father built with his own hands in 1904, and where she and her brothers, sisters, and family received the foundation of their lifelong love for Jesus Christ. Anyone who visited Sarah in later years was likely gifted with a handmade scarf; attendees are encouraged to wear a scarf as a visible sign of Sarah's love for each of us and the impact she had on our lives. Burial to follow in the family plot at Crossroads Cemetery, New Castle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to King Memorial Church or Fishes and Loaves at New Castle Christian Church, 713 Salem Ave, New Castle, VA 24127. Arrangements by Paitsel Funeral Home.

Sarah Francis Switzer

April 29, 2015 - March 22, 2015