COLUMBIA Sarah Martha Burn Moore has gone to a safer place to wait for us with all those she loved who have gone before her. She passed away of natural causes in a peaceful sleep, surrounded by family at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon June 19, 2021, at the age of 97.
She was born on June 27, 1923, in Society Hill, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Frank Hardee and Sarah Ellen Treacy Burn. She was predeceased by her husband of many years, Lt. Col. William R. Moore. She is survived by her children, Lillian M. Fox, William R. Moore Jr. and Mary Ann M. Weir and her grandchild, Sarah Catherine Weir.
This little girl from Society Hill graduated from Winthrop University, married a U.S. Army officer, traveled the world and raised a family. After her husband retired, she worked in the U.S. Marshal’s office and retired from there years later with friendships that endure to this day. In high school, she was voted "Miss Congeniality". When questioned about that, she would say, "It was a small high school and everybody was elected to something".
An avid letter writer, she corresponded with people she had known since first grade and even with the daughters of friends she knew who had passed away. Her love for her birthplace of Society Hill never wavered. In her final days, a truly beautiful experience occurred when she received a thank you letter from the mayor of Society Hill for a letter she had written him. She had seen an article in the Darlington County News and Press stating that this man had donated a considerable amount of his own money to help pay for a new roof for the old train depot which was otherwise not available even though it was a historical landmark. In her letter, she told him how for many years she had spent her own money to maintain and repair the Henry Burn house and the old antique store. Now they were owned by someone with a tremendous love for Society Hill who was restoring and preserving them beyond her capabilities. She told him what a joy that was to her as she aged. She sent her letter with some coupons to a nearby restaurant to reward him for his efforts. This was her last letter. Months went by and then a thank you letter appeared apologizing for how long it took to write. She received this letter when she was quite close to passing. When asked if she remembered writing the letter, she immediately nodded her head “yes”. The thank you letter was read to her. In it, the mayor said her letter had reached him at a point when he was very sad and his spirits were low. It brought him to tears that someone recognized his efforts in spite of all the opposition he had faced. He said he had saved other letters she had written in the past and treasured them. The timing of this letter was actually perfect. It actually brought a brightness to a very sad time for all those who loved this lady. It was a perfect example of how she lived a life of love and caring every minute she was on this earth. She will always be remembered for her example of life and love. Every person who knew her can tell you a story like this where she lovingly went out of her way with acts of kindness in their lives.
There will be a celebration of her life to see her for the last time from 5 until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 27, 2021 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. The final farewell will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Park at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 28, 2021, where she will rejoin her husband. She will live forever in the hearts of those who love her.
In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Long Bluff Historical Society in Society Hill which preserves and cherishes the history of Society Hill and Darlington County something she worked on her whole life because of the love of where she came from.
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