Sarah A. Culberson

Funeral services will be Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Gadsden for Sarah Ann Culberson, 89, of Gadsden, who died Tuesday, September 18, 2012. The Rev. Larry Fuhrman will officiate. Burial will be in Forrest Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.

Sarah was a service-oriented Christian who contributed much to the quality of life in Gadsden, especially in the area of the arts. After graduating from Alabama College of Montevallo, she taught piano in Gadsden for 12 years and served as Choir Director at First Baptist Church of Gadsden for 3 years. In 1957, she moved to New York to study voice with Rose Brampton and supported herself by working for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. A sought-after vocalist, Sarah sang for 24 churches and temples in New York City.

In 1969, she returned to Gadsden to care for her ailing mother and continued to work for MetLife in the Gadsden from 1969 to 1985. After retirement, she became active in the Gadsden Music Club and participated in productions at the Theatre of Gadsden, starring in “Mame” and “The Trip to Bountiful.” Her support of the theatre, both on and off stage, resulted in the auditorium at the Ritz Theatre in Alabama City being named in her honor.

She served as a soloist at First Baptist Church of Gadsden, played the organ for the Christian Science Church, and sang for High Holy days at Temple Beth Israel. In addition to music, she loved the visual arts and took up painting in 1995, creating many oils and watercolors.

Sarah had a keen intellect and a kind spirit that drew people to her. She was quick to notice the good in others and offer words of encouragement and praise. She found beauty in even the simplest of things ─ a single flower, or the shade of a young girl’s hair ─ and had a special place in her heart for animals, especially cats. She was ladylike, honest, hardworking, witty, dependable, and compassionate. For all of these reasons and more, she will be sorely missed.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret Rouse; niece, Sylvia DeVine; and nephews, Thomas Rouse, David Rouse, and Paul Rouse.

Pallbearers will be Billy Vance, Dewey Stansell, DeLeath Rives, George McSpadden, and Bob Hicks.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 12:00-1:00 prior to the service at First Baptist Church of Gadsden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Etowah County, 4200 Brooke Avenue, Gadsden, AL.

Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.