Sarah Campbell

Sarah Cottrill Campbell passed away quietly at home on April 3, 2021. She was born Sarah Lu Cottrill into the Czech community of Milwaukee and West Bend, Wisconsin, to Christy and Esther Mary (Klinka) Cottrill in November, 1946. They moved several times before settling in Tidewater, Virginia. Sarah and her two sisters, Virginia Sue (Victor) Kramer and Mary Esther (Lee) Conder, all graduated from the College of William and Mary. Sarah earned a Master's degree in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina in 1976. She was twice a Teacher of the Year finalist at USC Upstate, teaching from 1977 through 2012. She cared deeply for her students and went the extra mile to encourage, tutor, and mentor them. She was the author or co-author of numerous technical papers and abstracts in paleontology. She represented USC Spartanburg at International conferences in Vienna (malacology) and in Budapest and Praha (environmental science). She was a founding member of Providence Presbyterian Church. The Westminster Shorter Catechism states: "The chief end of Man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Sarah embraced this with a great love for her God, her family, and all of God's creation. She was the faculty mentor for the USC Upstate chapter of Students for Life. Sarah found joy in her Czech heritage, visited the Czech Republic four times, and represented the Czech Republic for 30 years at the Spartanburg International Festival. Sarah was an accomplished naturalist, a member of South Carolina Association of Naturalists, and a past president of Piedmont Audubon. She marveled at the beauty of, and excelled in the identification of wild flowers, birds, and molluscs. Sarah loved classical music and played the bassoon in the Spartanburg Symphony under Dr. Henry Janiec. Sarah was predeceased by her parents. Surviving are her husband of 52 years, Dr. Lyle D. Campbell, and their three sons: Dr. David (Susan) Campbell, Dr. Matthew (Evelyn) Campbell, and Andrew (Dr. Angela) Campbell. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Timothy, Sarah Charlotte, Benjamin, and Annabelle Campbell, as well as Sarah's two sisters and their husbands. All will miss her special attention and loving kindness. She was an extraordinarily gifted mother and grandmother. Her family was blessed by her. The family wishes to thank Dr. Curran and Dr. Chung and their staffs for their excellent medical care and Crescent Hospice for Sarah's final compassionate care. A memorial service will be 2:00 PM Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Providence Presbyterian Church, 1665 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307, conducted by Dr. Daniel Coleman. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Providence Presbyterian Church, 1665 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, 29307. Graveside service will be at Mt. Paran Baptist Church near Montebello in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Sarah Cottrill Campbell please visit our Sympathy Store.