Sarah Best Graves Harkrader

Mrs. Sarah Best Graves Harkrader, 96, a longtime resident of Crescent Drive and a community leader of Mount Airy, died Friday, February 8, 2008, in San Antonio, TX, after a long illness. Mrs. Harkrader was born October 26, 1911, in Surry County, to George O. and Elizabeth Florimel Hadley Graves. Her childhood years were spent on Pine Street. Her sister was Belle Williamson Graves Haskins Whitaker and her half-brothers were Benjamin Kelly Graves and George O. Graves. She attended Rockford School and the Mount Airy City Schools. After graduation, she attended Salem College in Winston-Salem, where she was editor of the school newspaper, Salemite; a member of the Order of the Scorpion; and was graduated in the class of 1932. She also attended Columbia University in New York to study journalism with one of the editors of the New York Times. Returning to Mount Airy, she taught English and Latin in the Mount Airy City Schools. After her marriage to Winfred Trent Harkrader of Dobson, an officer and later president of Mount Airy Mantel and Table Company, she had four children: Lela Belle Harkrader Fennell Royster of Houston, TX, W. Trent Harkrader, Jr. of San Antonio, TX, Sarah Graves Harkrader Brau of Washington, DC, and Elizabeth Hadley Harkrader (deceased). She was active in PTAs at the city schools and was a leader of the Girl Scout movement in Surry County, receiving a "Thanks Badge" for serving as director. She hostessed many activities at the family farm, Whispering Pines, in Cana, VA. She was a longtime member of the Entre Nous rook and book club, Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, Captain Thomas Graves Chapter of Yanceyville, a bridge club, and the Women's Missionary Society of Central United Methodist Church. She was a member of both Mount Airy Country Club and Cross Creek Country Club. She is survived by three children and their spouses; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother; nieces and nephews; and extended family and friends who mourn the passing of her lively, merry, and loving spirit. The funeral service will be held Saturday, February 16, 2008, at 2:00 PM at Central United Methodist Church. The service will be conducted by the Rev. John Ferree, and burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM in the Ladies' Parlor of Central United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to National Institute for Aging, Building 31, Room 2C-06, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2285, Bethesda, MD 20892-2540 and marked for Alzheimer's research; or Central United Methodist Church Restoration Fund, 1909 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030 and marked for stained glass windows.