Sarah C. Secrest Zimmerman

September 29, 2010

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MAY 10, 1915-SEPT. 27, 2010

BIG POOL - Sarah C. Secrest Zimmerman, 95, of Big Pool, Md., died Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, at her home.

Born May 10, 1915, in Washington County, Md., she was the daughter of the late Elmer Daniel Secrest and Annie Snyder Secrest.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Frank "Cotton" Zimmerman, in 1994. They were wed in 1967.

She was a member of St. Paul's Reformed Church for many years, where she sang with the choir and taught Bible school. She was also a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, where she served as the organist for many years.

One of her greatest passions was music. She played the violin in high school and college. She gave private piano and organ lessons to many. She enjoyed concerts and supported the Maryland Symphony Orchestra in Hagerstown. She also supported numerous organizations that helped children.

She taught and touched so many lives. She was well known as "Miss Sarah" to many. She began teaching school in 1938 for the Washington County Public Schools system. Among the schools served were Big Pool, Clear Spring, Indian Springs and Conococheague. She retired after 42 years. She was a graduate of Clear Spring High School, class of 1934, and a graduate of Frostburg State Teachers College in 1938.

She was a volunteer at Homewood Retirement Center and a member of the Clear Spring District Historical Society. She donated to the Clear Spring Library and was an avid reader.

She is survived by a special niece raised as a daughter, Shielda Mae Shank, and husband Gary, of Big Pool; two great-nieces considered grandchildren, Stephanie Shank and her family, Brian, Brandon and Amanda; and Cheryl Ellmore and family, Sam and Emily. Also surviving are four other nieces, Mildred Keefer and family, Lucille Kauffman and family, Louise Kitchen and family, and Mary Ellen Fritz and family; and a special pet companion, Ellie.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Daniel Secrest, Shields Secrest and Howard Secrest.

Services will be Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Reformed Church in Clear Spring. The Rev. John A. Toms will officiate. Burial will be in the adjoining church cemetery.

Family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at Donald Edwin Thompson Funeral Home Inc., 13607 National Pike, Clear Spring. For the convenience of friends, you may visit the funeral home after 11 a.m.

Charitable contributions may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21740 or to Washington County Humane Society, 13011 Maugansville Road, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

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