My name is Rev. Horace L. Sheffield, III, and on July 23, 1988 I went to Bradford Treatment facility in Birmingham, Alabama. After detoxing the very first I saw, all dressed in white, was Sarah Gentle. As I cried incessantly she asked, "what's wrong?'  And I replied, "what will I do if I came all the way here and it doesn't work?' And she said I've never met a person yet who got up in the morning and ask God to keep them clean that has ever relapsed. And 34 years later I haven't. I loved Sarah. We kept in touch so much so that several years ago she assisted me with my son going to Bradford who is also now cleaned. Last thing, she always talked to me about her love for her daughters. I am very successful now and if I can honor her or help them in anyway let me know. (sheffield3@aol.com)

Sarah Gentle was instrumental in my life being saved. In 1988 she was my counselor when I was in treatment at Bradford in Birmingham, Alabama. I have now been clean for over 34 years and can say that her support then, and in successive years, made a unparalleled difference in my life. I have tried to contact her daughters with no success so I can properly thank them and memorialize her. I can be reached at 313-859-9489 or at sheffeld3@aol.com. 

To Sarah’s family-You may never read this.   A lot of time has passed.  I met your mother in 2011 when I started my first chemo treatment for breast cancer.   She was beside me doing her own round of chemo. We hit it off from the start.  She had such a sweet soul and was so encouraging to me.  I was young and scared and was so thankful to have someone to speak to.  I think we did a few of our treatments together.  I’m surprised we never got in trouble from the med staff for getting too loud in the chemo room.  😅. I’ve often wondered what happened to her after we finished our treatments.   So I thought I’d look her up.  I was so sad to find her obituary.   She definitely left and impression on me and I never forgot her or her name.  It fit her perfectly.   So sad that you have to sadly go on with life without this Gentle soul.   I will never forget her.   

A real friend to me. We walked home from high school together and stopped by her house before going on to mine.  


We were really good friends through high school. I just learned of her passing. Please accept my condolence to her family.

Sarah I always loved you, you were my friend, my counselor and the mother I didnt have. I know without a doubt that you are in heaven,that you can see my heart toward you, how much Ive missed you. Now its too late to say face to face how much you meant to me. A great light has gone out in the world in general and in my life in particular, Ill never forget you never stop loving you. rest in Christ's arms til we meet again.
                                                                         Joseph Nicolls

Dearest Sarah ,  "and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road to Happy Destiny."  I thank you for hearing my call for help from my hospital bed 28 years ago. You were my angel God used to save my life and I'll always be grateful to you Sarah by giving freely of myself to help others who reach out for help . I love you and
I miss you , but you will always be alive in my heart and wherever I share my story .  Thank you Sarah Gentle for always caring and being my friend .  
 Ukrainian Easter Eggs and Footprints in the Sand ............
 Yours in Christ , Jersey John

Sarah, you were a close friend, a prayer partner, a believer in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  I loved you and I still do.  Your worry and pain are over, your work is done.  I will miss you as long as I'm here, but look forward to seeing you again when God calls me home.

May the Lord give peace and comfort to the family in this time of need.  Sarah was so brave. I pray memories of her faith will bring others to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Sarah, I will miss you more than words can express.  You were a shining star to me and a loving angel.  You will never be forgotten by me. Love you

My dear friend, I can't believe you are gone. Through the 20 years we have been friends, we have been there for each other through some of the darkest days of our lives. Although I will miss you more than words can say, I am happy for you that you will have no more dark days. You were an angel on earth and now you are an angel in another realm.

We are deeply saddened to hear of Sarah's passing and offer our sincere condolences to her family, friends and coworkers.  She was such a kindhearted person and will be truly missed.

Sarah Gentle, You are now in the arms of angels, may you find some comfort there.  I am blessed to have known you as a friend.  I am even more grateful to have had the opportunity, to witness your never ending commitment to individuals seeking recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction through here leadership at ADAC (The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council).  On behalf of the Board of Directors of ADAC, thank you.

And to Sarah's friends and family, I hope that you will find the practice of gratitude to be comforting during this time of grief.  We are all on loan to each other.  I am grateful that Sarah was on loan to me.  I will chose to honor the time I was allowed to share with Sarah through a commitment to continue to help those who seek the path of recovery.  This was Sarah's "purpose" and I know that it is mine. 

In loving memory,
Scott Burnett
ADAC Board President

My deepest sympathy. Rest well, Sarah. Phyllis Wyne and the FOCUS organization

In loving memory of a wonderful person and counselor!!! I will miss you so much. My prayers are with your family.

My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends during this difficult time. I hope that the promise found in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 can bring you some comfort. Knowing that there is a future for those ones we have lost in death can be so reassuring.

Like, Jeri, I also have fond memories of our youth and of times we cousins spent together.  There is truly nothing like being a part of a loving family.  Sarah Ann, we miss you here on earth, but you are surrounded by family members who have gone on before us, and one day those of us, who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, will be fortunate to be together again in Heaven.  My prayers are for our loving Lord to give comfort and peace to your family in the days ahead, as they miss having their sweet mom and grandmom close to them.  Jennifer and Julianna, I am sorry that I will not be able to attend the memorial service, but I will be praying for you.

My dear sweet and beautiful cousin, you will be missed greatly. My memories of us at the beach both with the girls when they were teens and also with the family in Panama City just a few years ago will be etched in my memory forever.  My heart is with you Julianna and Jennifer.  Love you both and wish I were close enough to give you a hug.

OBITUARY

Sarah Palmer Gentle

September 24, 1944 – January 18, 2016

Ridout's Valley Chapel

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