Sarah Portia Elder

Sarah Portia Elder went from labor to eternal rest March 20, 2018 at Mercy Allen Hospital, Oberlin, Ohio. She entered this world on April 16, 1931 in Chester, SC to the late Isaiah and Irene (Whiteside) Land. At the time of her death Sarah was a resident of Oberlin Ohio living with her niece A. Ruth Smith & family with support from her nephew Quincy Land & family, and Jacqueline O. Smith & family for the past 4 years. Prior to moving to Oberlin, after leaving the Atlanta area she lived with her niece Irena (David) Moore, and her sister Hazel Smith in South Carolina. She was a graduate of Finley High School (class of 1949), and a graduate of Benedict College in Columbia, SC. It was in Columbia where she met the love of her life, a serviceman Milton S. Elder. They became husband and wife on May 22, 1953. Together they shared 36 years of marriage before the Lord called him home. Sarah’s walk with the Lord began at an early age she was a member of Zion Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church until after her marriage. She then continued her walk with Christ by becoming a member of the churches on the military bases where her husband and she were stationed. After they settled in Georgia while her husband continued his military career she established herself at the chapel on the military base of Fort Gilliam where she worked diligently with the missionary society and other ministries of the church. Under the direction of Pastor Irvine Bryer and others, Cross Road Christian Ministries was formed after the military base closed. She was a founding member of this ministry, and one of the Mothers of the Church. Sarah had many interests and callings, she worked as a professional seamstress, a reading teacher for the Atlanta Public School system; she loved to cook especially cakes and was known throughout Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and Ohio for those delicious desserts. Family was important to her, she was one of the main links in bringing the family together helping to establish our family reunion group (LSWWC, est. 1979). She was involved in her community serving as an officer in their community association, member of Atlanta NAACP, and Oberlin NAACP, member of Oberlin Senior Alliance, and sewing with various groups in Lorain County, Ohio. Sarah leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Preceded in death by her husband, Milton S. Elder, parents Isaiah and Irene Land, brothers; Quince Land Sr., Gary Land, Preathus Land, sisters; Ruth Land-Faison, Agnes Land- Sutherland, and Hazel Land- Smith

Sarah Portia Elder

April 16, 1931 - March 20, 2018