Sarah Ford Longshore

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend of many, Say Longshore went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 12, 2013. She fully understood who made her, why she was here on this earth and where she was going to spend eternity, and lived her life in light of these truths. She was predeceased by her parents Joseph Mann Ford and Susan Ewing Ford, and sisters Joann Mann Ford and Susan Ford Denny. Left behind to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 61 years, William Levi Longshore, Jr. (Bill); children Billy (Pam) Longshore, Joann (Bill) Goans and Susan (Al) Johnson; and grandchildren Daniel (Lauren) Goans, Rachel (Chad) Lynam, Colter Longshore, Sarah Johnson and Joann Johnson.

Say was born on July 28, 1926, raised in Birmingham, attended South Highland Presbyterian Church and graduated from Ramsey High School. After graduating from the University of Alabama where she majored in Spanish, she taught Spanish at Southeastern Bible College for 20 years. She also sold Doncaster clothing for many years with her mother and great friend Karen Stewart . She was involved in many charitable, social and civic groups such as Civiettes, Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and Caxton Literary Club, and she always looked forward to her lunch on Tuesdays at Gilchrist Drug Co. with her friends.

In 1951, she married William Levi Longshore, Jr. (Bill), and children Billy, Joann and Susan were born in the next four years. She was a fully supportive and engaged wife, mother and friend. From 1951 – 1969, Say was also an active member of Southside Baptist Church which she joined after she married Bill. When Cuban refugees and other internationals connected with UAB begin to settle in Birmingham in the mid 1960s, she helped found the English as a Second Language (ESL) class at Southside Baptist where she used her fluency in Spanish to assist and minister to these internationals. She continued teaching ESL classes for over 40 years. Through this ministry, Say befriended and helped many internationals from various countries with their personal needs, immigration issues and citizenship (both earthly and heavenly).

In 1972, she and Bill began a Sunday afternoon International Bible Study in their home where a group of internationals came to study the Bible and learn about the Christian faith. This group of internationals, mainly Chinese, began meeting at Southside Baptist Church and grew to eventually became The Birmingham Chinese Christian Church. Say taught a Bible class in Spanish at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church from 1987 to 1995 for Hispanic internationals who made Birmingham their home, especially Cubans. She also served for many years on the Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) council.

In 1974, Bill and Say and their family joined Briarwood Presbyterian Church where she immediately became involved with the World Missions Committee (for decades) and with internationals. She also helped found an ESL class at Briarwood where she taught for many years. In 1980, she and Bill formed the International Sunday School class at Briarwood which has developed into the Briarwood International Ministry. Due to her almost 50 years of ministry to internationals in Birmingham, she and Bill could travel anywhere in the world and usually know someone in that country that they had ministered to while they were in Birmingham. A large number of individuals from many nations came to know Christ as their Lord and Savior through Say’s loving actions, words and concern. During her illness, many of these friends from across the country and world called to relate stories of how much Say meant to them and had done for them. Say lived her life in obedience to the two great commandments to love God and to love others. She was recognized in 2008 with the DAR Medal of Honor for her service to others.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Briarwood Presbyterian Church (International Ministry) 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham, AL 35243; Southeastern Bible College 2545 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35244 or Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) 10 West Dry Creek Circle, Littleton, CO 80120-4413. The family also wants to express their deep gratitude for the loving care provided by Clorine Madden and her team the last several years of her life.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Briarwood Presbyterian Church with a reception afterwards in the Fellowship Hall for visiting with the family.