Sara Merritt Obituary

Sara Cummings Merritt CHARLESTON - Sara Cummings Merritt, age 91, widow of Hugh Davis Merritt, Sr., entered into eternal rest on Friday, June 17, 2016. She was born in Charleston to the late Frederick Alonzo Cummings and Sara Elizabeth Green Cummings. She attended public schools and Ashley Hall in Charleston and Agnes Scott College, Decatur, Ga. In the 1940's Sara modeled hats in New York City. This led to her love of hats throughout her life. Her sense of 'style and fashion' was well known by those who knew her. Sara was known to dress to go to the grocery store just as she did for a special occasion! Sara, along with her husband, owned the first Seven-Day Stores in Charleston. Additionally, they owned and operated Cherokee Plaza Shopping Center on Savannah Highway and the A&M Market on Folly Beach. In 1929 on the opening day of the celebration of the original Cooper River Bridge connecting Charleston to Mt. Pleasant, she sat on the float and was the youngest in the parade. In 2005 at the ceremony of the closing of that bridge, Sara was then the oldest in attendance. In 2005, due to her very early involvement with the Cooper River Bridge, Sara became a frequently interviewed and photographed celebrity and led to her participation at the opening of the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge. With her busy life, Sara made time to contribute to the Charleston community. She served as President of several organizations. The Greater Charleston Rotary Club Auxiliary, The Folly Beach Exchange Club, Wesley Fellowship Class, John Wesley Methodist Church, the Charleston Republican Women's Club and the Hat Divas Society. She was a former member of the Navy League, Charleston Garden Club, Gibbs Art Gallery and the Country Club of Charleston. Sara was predeceased by her loving granddaughter, Ashley Merritt. She is survived by her sons Roderick T. Merritt, Sr., Hugh Davis Merritt, Jr., and John Frederick Merritt, grandson John Frederick Merritt, Jr. and granddaughter Kimberly Merritt. A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00pm on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, James Island Chapel. Burial will immediately follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be at 11am Thursday, one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to John Wesley Wesley United Methodist Church, 626 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407. Online condolences may be viewed or submitted at www.mcalister-smith.com Arrangements are entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 347 FOLLY ROAD, CHARLESTON, SC 29412, 843-614-8494 Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston