Sara Louise Mckee

Sara Goen McKee, age 95, died at her home on November 9, 2020. She is survived by son, Ray McKee, daughter, Sally Franklin (Ken), granddaughter, Elizabeth Franklin, her sister, Jeanette Goen of Griffin, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert A. McKee and son, Robin McKee. She was a daily obituary reader and said she was checking to see if she was listed. Now she is.

Sara was born in Lamar County, Georgia and grew up a country girl. Her father, Raymond, was a farm overseer and her mother, Susie, was a housewife. She loved playing outside, especially with her sister, Ruby. When she was 7, her sister, Jeanette was born and Sara took care of her like a little mommy. When Sara was only 13, her father died. Her mother had to find a job, which left the teens to run the house. Sara was the most responsible and quickly took over most household duties.

After graduating from high school, she got a secretarial job in Griffin.

In 1946, when the war ended, Robert McKee came home from his four years of service. On his first full day home, he attended a Sunday School party and met young Sara. They dated for four years and then married and moved to Atlanta.

They enjoyed traveling, since neither had ever left the state until they were adults. Sara worked at the Trust Company of Georgia as a legal secretary.

Their first child, Robin, was born in 1956. He was the joy of their lives. Sadly, he died at the age of two. The next year, Sally came along and then two years later, Ray. Sara made most of the clothes that she and Sally wore. She cooked great meals every night, kept the yard beautiful, and was also school room mother many years.

The family continued to travel after the children were born. Each summer, they took at least a two-week trip to all parts of the United States in their huge station wagon

They moved to DeKalb County in 1969. Sara was active in her circle at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. She served as church treasurer for several years and helped with many activities at the church including the annual barbeque and craft fair. She cooked many meals for shut-ins and families during hard times. She also used her sewing skills to sew cancer pads to donate to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home in Atlanta.

She started a little business making cloth crafts such as wreaths, chickens, Christmas ornaments, aprons, casserole carriers, and pillows. She sold them at church craft shows and town festivals for many years. She enjoyed making things and having her own income.

When they joined Decatur First United Methodist Church, she started sewing little cloth bags that were later filled with toiletries to send to children in Honduras. Mission teams from her church delivered these bags and reported to her how much the kids loved them. Sara also enjoyed handing out bulletins at her church - a job Robert had done until he died in 2006.

She always enjoyed yard work and continued to garden until just a few weeks ago. She loved her family and always made a huge holiday feast – turkey, ham, sweet potato souffle, green beans, butter beans, corn, deviled eggs, and rolls. There was never a doubt these dishes would be at every holiday meal.

She especially adored her granddaughter, Elizabeth. She waited a long time to become a grandmother and enjoyed all the time she could spend with her, especially when she was little. Just a week before she died, she was visibly excited when Liz came to see her.

Graveside service at Masters Cemetery, 5057 Flakes Mill Rd. on Friday, November 13 at 11 a.m. All are welcome and asked to please wear a mask.