Sarah Turner

Sarah McCormick Turner, age 74, of Fripp Island, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on August 6, 2026. Jesus gently cradled Sarah in His arms and had angels carry her to her eternal home in Heaven. She was born December 23, 1951, in Staunton, Virginia, to Franklyn and Mary Katherine McCormick.

Sarah grew up in Virginia and graduated from Midlothian High School in 1970 before earning her bachelor’s degree from Mary Baldwin College. She later married her husband, Keith, and they welcomed their daughter, Beth, before spending a brief time in Ohio, where their son, Christopher, was born, and then returning to Virginia.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Sarah will be remembered for her deep love of family and friends, her resilience through life’s challenges, and the joy she found near the ocean. Her legacy will be the love she gave so freely and that everyone who knew her could see in her.

In Midlothian, Sarah’s love and warmth made the family’s house truly a home. Her family is left with fond memories of the beautiful azalea bushes Sarah loved, the terrible master bathroom she did not, and two decades of scraped knees, Sundays by the fireplace, family dinners, the occasional roller skate through the drywall, and, more than anything, the love they felt from her at all times. During those years, Sarah also loved her work in the office at Evergreen Elementary School in Chesterfield County.

Later, Sarah and Keith moved to Tennessee, where she proved that a little distance could never diminish the sense of home she created for family and friends. Laughter and good times with friends at Fox Den grew into lasting friendships that remained an important part of her life for years to come.

Sarah and Keith bought a second home on Fripp Island, South Carolina in 2017, creating a special place for family and friends to visit and enjoy. They made Fripp their full-time home in 2021, a fitting next chapter for Sarah. She loved the ocean and the relaxed rhythm of life by the water. Whether walking on the beach, spending time with friends, watching wildlife from the deck, or simply sitting by the window watching the world go by, Fripp was a place she was happy to call home. She particularly loved sitting on the front porch after dinner, simply listening to the ocean. She also had a love of dancing and especially enjoyed any occasion where she and Keith could spend the evening dancing together.

Sarah loved to travel, experiencing new places and making memories along the way. Wherever life took her, though, family and friends remained at its center. She treasured time with the people she loved and had a gift for making others feel welcome and comfortable, bringing people together both at home and abroad.

Among Sarah’s greatest joys were her four grandchildren. Through Christopher, she was the proud grandma of Gwen, Luke, and Cici, and through Beth, the proud Mimi of Reed. She cherished reading books with Gwen; sharing iPad games and puzzles with Reed; being a willing participant in Luke’s games of restaurant at the Fripp house; and playing board games with Cici. She loved watching each of them grow and treasured the special relationship she shared with each one.

Sarah is survived by her loving husband, Keith; her daughter, Beth, and son-in-law, Matt; her son, Christopher, and daughter-in-law, Erin; her grandchildren, Gwen, Reed, Luke, and Cici; her sister-in-law, Liz, and niece, Sallie; and many dear friends whose lives were made richer by knowing her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Franklyn and Mary Katherine McCormick, and her brother, Bryan.

A memorial service for Sarah will be planned for a future date, with details to be shared by the family when available.

Click this link to view additional details about Sarah's Services: https://my.gather.app/remember/sarah-turner-2026