Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes - Effingham Chapel

phone 754-6421/fax 754-3426

Mrs. Sarah Jane Holbrook Sloat

Springfield-Sarah Jane, known as Jane to her family and friends, passed away April 23, 2010 at her home in Springfield after a long illness.

She was the widow of the Rev. Orman P. Sloat. Jane was the daughter of the late Hermon C. and Aurie Hunter Holbrook. She was born in Atlanta October 5, 1921. She graduated from Druid Hills High School, attended Asbury College and graduated from LaGrange College. It was at Asbury that she met her husband, Orman. They were married June 9, 1942 in Atlanta. She served faithfully beside him in his pastorates in the Southern Indiana Methodist Conference and the South Georgia United Methodist Conferences until his retirement. She was the ultimate preacher's wife, living out her call to serve God with grace, generosity and a bright smile. She was a true southern lady and the perfect hostess.

As a child she became accustomed to ministers and missionaries staying at her family home. Hearing the stories of the missionaries she became interested in their work in the then Congo. She was a strong supporter of the United Methodist Women because of their mission work with women, youth and children and served in many positions in the local church.

She began attending camp meeting at Indian Springs Holiness Camp Ground every year, staying at her grandmother's cottage with her family. After the deaths of her mother and grandmother she and Orman maintained the cottage there, faithfully attending every year until their health failed. Being a descendant of the founder of Holbrook Camp Meeting she also attended there as a child and, when possible, after she and Orman married. Camp Meeting was a part of her life.

At an early age Jane showed she was unusually musically inclined and began violin and piano lessons. She played the violin in the orchestra at Druid Hills High School, the then Youth Symphony of Atlanta and at Asbury College. She became an accomplished musician winning many medals in piano competitions. Not only did she have perfect pitch but also a keen ear. She could play classical pieces in competitions as well as hynms and choruses in church. Along the way she learned to play the organ and often filled in for church services.

Jane loved St. Simons Island from an early age and she spent many happy times there with family and friends, staying at the family cottage. She and Orman also loved to travel. They traveled all over the United States, Canada, Europe and the Holy Land.

She is survived by her only sibling, Anne, and her husband Lawson Thigpen; nieces and husbands, Aurieanne and Bob Sneed, Jane and Todd Copeland; great-nephews, Robert and Hunter Sneed, Michael Copeland; great niece, Katerina Copeland; her only first cousin, R.H. and Margaret Hunter, and her devoted and loving care givers, Roberta Turner, Lynda Turner, Lorinda Price, Mary McGee and Tonya Lee.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 immediately before the service celebrating her life beginning at 2 p.m. at Springfield United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Ben Martin officiating. Interment will be at Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, GA at 12 noon on Wednesday, April 28, 2010.

Honorary pallbearers will be the United Methodist Women, The Bible Studies Sunday School Class and the South Georgia Conference ministers and spouses. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Springfield United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 237, Springfield, GA 31329.

Thomas C. Strickland

& Sons Funeral Homes

Effingham Chapel

2460 Hwy 21 South

Rincon, GA 31326

912-754-6421