Sarah Toler Gaskins

Sarah Frances Toler Gaskins, 91, passed away peacefully at Homeplace Assisted Living on June 6, 2021. She was affectionately known to many as “Granny Sarah.” She was born on December 6, 1929 to Isaiah Willis and Vera Whitford Toler and lived her entire life in the Askin community of Craven County.

She is survived by her two sons, Stevie Gaskins (Colleen) and Ikie Gaskins (Myla) both of the Askin community; her grandchildren, Clayton (Michelle) of Askin, Michael (Jordan), of Winston Salem, Ike (Diane), Ben (Shanon) of Askin, and Janet Gaskins, of Greenville; her great grandchildren, Tristan, Sarah, Logan, Madison, Elizabeth, Bennett and Grayson; and one great-great grandchild, Destiny; special niece, Donna Waterman (Mark); and special cousin, Patricia Eatmon.

Sarah was predeceased by her husband, William Clayton, in 1980 at the young age of 51, both her parents, her beloved brother, Eugene Rendell and wife, Olivia Thomas Toler, and daughter-in-law Betsy Gaskins.

She was a member of Macedonia FWB Church in Ernul, where she had been active in past years as a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. She graduated from Farm Life School in 1947 and then attended Guilford College and East Carolina Teachers College, before returning home to begin a career in teaching at Ernul School. In later years, she resigned from teaching and helped her husband manage the farm.

Upon Clayton’s death in 1980, Sarah returned to her teaching career. She worked at West Craven High School for one year before going to Bridgeton Elementary in 1982, where she worked until retirement in June 2006, at the age of 76. She loved children and always missed her career.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Cotten Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 11:00 am Macedonia FWB Church. The burial will follow at New Bern Memorial.

The family is appreciative of the many years of care provided by Drs Alex & Mary Kirby, Dr. Angelo Tellis, and Dr. Robert Fisher. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Craven County Hospice via Craven County Health Dept. Hospice Foundation, PO Drawer 12610, New Bern, NC 28561 or to Macedonia FWB Church, 355 Macedonia Church Road, Vanceboro, NC 28586.

Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Sarah Frances Toler Gaskins.