Sarah Matthews Garst
MEMPHIS - Sarah Matthews Garst, 86, died on November 22, 2022, at Hospice of Union County in Monroe, NC. She was born on August 31, 1936, in South Bend, Indiana, the daughter of Arthur Nelson Matthews and Helen Ridenour Matthews.
Sarah graduated from Jefferson Senior High School in Roanoke, Virginia, Class of 1955. Following graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Jack L. Garst, at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. They settled in Memphis, Tennessee, where Jack worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They celebrated 50 years of marriage before Jack’s death in 2006.
Sarah is survived by her three sons, David Nelson Garst, and wife Kathryn, of Franklin, TN, Matthew William Garst of New York, NY, and John Blair Garst, and wife Kim, of St. Louis, MO; as well as two daughters, Ann Garst Taylor of Charlotte, NC and Helen “Ginny” Garst Woods of New Braunfels, TX. In addition, she is survived by four grandsons, Tyler Woods and wife Mckenzie, Philip Taylor, Hunter Garst, and Jack Garst; and four granddaughters, Sarah Taylor, Tory Garst, Juliette Garst, and Mikelle Garst; as well as two great-grandsons, Jackson Woods and Judson Woods. Finally, Sarah leaves sister Sudy Dressler of York, SC, sister-in-law Joanne Matthews of Los Altos, CA, and brother-in-law Jerry Glass of Radford, VA, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Sarah was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a former member of Idlewild Presbyterian, Balmoral Presbyterian, Christ Presbyterian, and Central churches. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends, but we know and rejoice that she is reunited with her beloved husband, Jack, and at peace with her Lord.
A celebration of her life and faith will be held in the Chapel of Idlewild Presbyterian Church at 3:00 pm on Monday, December 5, 2022. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm and a reception held after the service. Reverend David Powers will be officiating. A private interment ceremony will be held at the West Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery.
Sarah was a volunteer for 14 years in the Women’s Auxiliary of the Memphis & Mid-south Salvation Army where she served as a Kettle Bell Coordinator for the Memphis area. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorials be sent to the Memphis area Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Christmas Campaign. Memphis - Virtual Kettle 2022.