Sara Epting

Sara W. Epting, 97, of Spartanburg, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at White Oak Estates-Spartanburg. Born March 8, 1917, in Spartanburg County, to the late Lewis Furman and Ruth Miller West, she was married to the late Fred Mitchell Epting for 62 years. Mrs. Epting is the last surviving member of her immediate family. Mrs. Epting graduated Fairforest High School in 1934. She was a student of both Winthrop and Converse Colleges. Her commitment to education started in Spartanburg District Two. She was the coordinator for the Elementary Music Program for District Six, heading the program for twenty years. In addition to public education, she was the organist for Arcadia Baptist Church for 38 years, where her husband also served as the Minister of Music. She taught the Lydia Sunday School Class as well. As a member of First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, she was active in the Hope Sunday School Class, Young At Heart, and the Senior Choir. In 2004, at the age of 87, she played a solo at the Keyboards and Carols Christmas Concert at First Baptist Church Spartanburg. Mrs. Epting was a charter member of Alpha Mu and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. In 1960, Mrs. Epting was the Delta Kappa Gamma Outstanding Music Director for Spartanburg County. She also served as president of the organization. She was a member of the Spartanburg Music Club and past president of ETA. The School District Six Teachers honored Mrs. Epting with an engraved brick in the Music Education National Center Walk of Fame in Reston, Virginia. Mrs. Epting was a member of Spartanburg County Retired Music Educators, National Conference, and Past President Assembly. While a resident of White Oak Estates, Mrs. Epting was the pianist for the Independent Living, Assisted Living, and the Nursing Home Residences. In 2010, Mrs. Epting received the Senior Standout Award. Painting landscapes in oil was one of Mrs. Epting's passions in her youth. Her paintings are outstanding, as is her poetry. She was an accomplished poet, writing poems for every holiday and important family occasion. Survivors include her nieces and nephew: Gayle West Pryor (Twyman), Jimmy Trout (Lanie), and Kathy West Ware (Ronnie), all of Spartanburg County. Others include Caroline Pryor Fleetwood (Jimmie) of Spartanburg, Ryan Ware of Antioch, TN, Betsy Trout Kneisley (Matthew) of Spartanburg, Jamie Trout of New York City, NY, Stephanie Wood (Case) of Charleston, SC, Carole Garrison, and Carson and Sarah Kneisley of Spartanburg. She was predeceased by her sister, Betty West Trout (James Duren); and three brothers, Oland West (Pauline), David West, and Harold West. Visitation will be 1:00-1:45 PM Saturday, December 6, 2014, at First Baptist Church Parlor, 250 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29306. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM, in Davis Chapel at First Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Sal Barone, the Rev. Robert C. Morgan, and the Rev. Bill Adams. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307. Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy Trout, Twyman Pryor, Ronnie Ware, Ryan Ware, Jimmie Fleetwood, Matthew Kneisley, and Case Wood. Memorials may be made to the Sara West Epting and Fred Mitchell Epting Scholarship Fund, c/o Spartanburg County Foundation, 424 East Kennedy Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; First Baptist Spartanburg Young at Heart, 250 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306, or Arcadia First Baptist Church, PO Box 25, Arcadia, SC 29320. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Sara West Epting please visit our Sympathy Store.