Sarah Ruth Reynolds

ROCHESTER-

Sarah Ruth Reynolds lived a wonderful life before she transitioned to be with the Lord on September 11, 2021.

As the eldest girl of 11 children, Sarah was born in Ashland, Mississippi, on September 17, 1949, to the late Ira (lovingly referred to as "Daddy") and Melvinia (lovingly referred to as "Mother") Reynolds. Born and raised in Mississippi, as a child, Sarah loved to dance, watch basketball, and could always be found reading a book.

Sarah and her siblings relocated to Rochester, NY, in 1965, where she attended and graduated from Madison High School. She went on to attend and graduate from Oklahoma Christian College where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. During college, she was a known disruptor and active in the Civil Rights movement. After college, Sarah returned to Rochester and had a flourishing career as a librarian at the Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T), where she was an active member of the R.I.T. faculty for over 35 years before she retired. She was a proud member of the North Greece Road Church of Christ. She loved praise and worship and her church family.

In 1973, she welcomed her beautiful daughter, Shantelle, in to the world. The apple of her eye, she proudly raised Shantelle as a single mom. As determined as Sarah, Shantelle went on to attend and graduate from both college (Hampton University), and law school (The George Washington School of Law), leaving Sarah beaming with pride and bragging to anyone who would listen.

Sarah was by default "in charge". She always had words of advice and wisdom, and like her mother, Sarah was going to let you know how she felt and what she thought whether one asked or not. Outspoken and as the eldest girl of 11 (5 boys and 5 girls), she was a caretaker at heart. As the "chef" of the family, she loved to cook all types of food and her house was the place for hosting family and loved ones for great family meals and get togethers. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and took great pride in making sure everyone felt welcome, was comfortable, and ate well. Continuing her love of dance through adulthood, put on the right song and Sarah could be found creating her own dance floor!

Words used to describe Sarah are: beautiful, determined, wise, loving and smart. She was an amazing woman, who was loved and cherished by her family and friends. Sarah is predeceased by her loving parents, and her two older brothers William Reynolds ("Big Daddy") and Ben ("RIP"), and brother-in-law George Coleman. She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter Shantelle Wright residing in Washington, DC; her two nieces (her girls) she helped lovingly raise: Mariah and LaSarah; her "grandchildren" who affectionately referred to her as "Nana": Javeah and Mekhi; eight brothers and sisters: Johnny (Betty); Joseph; Alt (Ruthie) of Georgia; Lovie Smyth (John) of Dallas; Geraldine (George – deceased); Lynda Diggles (John) of Dallas; Ira, Jr.; and Elizabeth; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, family and friends who will all miss her dearly.

A celebration of life service will be held at North Greece Church of Christ, 1039 North Greece Road, Greece, NY 14626 on Friday, September 17, 2021 (her birthday) at 11:00am.