Sara M. Karrer

Sara Mitchum Karrer, of Charleston, SC died peacefully at home on January 19, 2024, surrounded by family, caregivers (in person and in spirit) and her faithful “guard dog” Stella.

Born April 15, 1941, in Mullens, SC, Sara Elizabeth Mitchum was the second daughter of Marvin Brown Mitchum and Iola Roberts Mitchum of Williamsburg County, SC. Sara grew up on the family farm and attended school in Kingstree, SC. Sara graduated from Winthrop College, Rock Hill, SC, in 1962 with a BS degree, completing her studies in three years. Sara went on to receive her MS degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in 1980.

Sara began her career as a traveling price and statics monitor for the U.S. Department of Labor (wearing the required hat, gloves, and stockings), until marrying then LT Robert J. Karrer, Jr. US Army in 1963. After a honeymoon cross country trek via Mexico, Sara and Bob attended language school in Monterey, CA, learning Portuguese and welcoming their first child John (Fritz). While Bob served two combat tours in Vietnam, Sara cared for Fritz and daughter Sara Lynne with the support of her beloved aunts, Eloise Roberts and Caroline Dutrow, with frequent visits from Bob’s parents, COL Robert J. Karrer (Big Daddy) and Mabel (Big Nana).

Sara and her family served three tours in the Republic of Panama between September 1967 and July 1982, driving a VW wagon back to the US in 1970 and 1976. Sara loved her time in the tropics - experiencing the culture, exploring the markets, chasing butterflies, hunting rocks and shells, and making life-long friends. She was honored to be a member of Club Soroptimista Panama, supporting its mission to promote education as the key to unlocking economic empowerment of the world’s women and girls.

Prior to her last assignment in Panama, Sara interned as a civilian personnel officer at Fort Knox, KY and at Corozal in the former Canal Zone. During her 23-year career in Defense Department civilian personnel, Sara was known as a hardworking, expertly skilled, serious, effective professional. Sara received several outstanding meritorious service awards, including the Department of Defense Outstanding Civilian Award in 1995 for unique improvements in personnel data technology. Sara retired in 1996, returning to her beloved South Carolina with renewed focus on her passions – family, friends, and animals.

For decades, Sara gathered with her sister, cousins, and the next generations for Cousins Conference, often held at the family’s beach retreat. Sara was infamous for extending a helping hand or opening her home to both people and critters - taking care of farm cats, nursing possums, piglets, bunnies, delivering breach kittens and a neighbor’s poodle puppy. Annually, Sara would go door to door to raise funds for the American Heart Association. Gentle and caring most about affairs of the heart, Sara reveled in sharing stories of kindness and joy - Her advice: “Think beautiful thoughts.”

Sara’s attention to detail, creativity and resourcefulness made her one for any tough project. When there were no Christmas trees in Panama, she made one – complete with felt ornaments and a “brick” fireplace. She hand-cut cookies, painted lightbulbs, and crafted many projects from her magazines. Able to tell you about the worst-case scenario for any decision, she was an early adopter of seat belts, sunscreen, yoga, and meditation. An expert traveler throughout the Americas, Europe, and Africa with the motto of “travels with chocolate”, it was not unusual for Sara to place her dessert order before deciding her meal. An expert cloud spotter, Sara always saw the possible drifting out of one nothingness into another. She always had a smile, a twinkle in her blue eyes and radiated an infectious charm.

Sara and her family are grateful for the many caregivers who provided loving care and companionship at home over the last 14 years. The family especially recognizes Nancy Archibald Stella for her dedicated years of loving care to enhance Sara’s health and wellbeing. Special thanks to Sandra Halsey, Jere Johnson and all other caregivers, nurses and hospice workers that shared their unconditional kindness and comfort with Sara. Thank you to the many friends who called, corresponded, and supported Sara’s family through this difficult time.

At Sara’s request, she will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Sara’s life will also be honored at hilltops overlooking Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, a spot Sara believed to be the most beautiful in the world.

Sara is survived by her husband Robert of 60 years; son John (Fritz) Karrer of St. Petersburg, FL; daughter Sara Lynne Karrer and husband Scott Robertson of Washington DC; grandchildren James Karrer and Charlotte Karrer; cousin Brucie Harry; nieces Christine Karrer, Katherine MacKinnon, Virginia MacKinnon; nephews John Karrer and Luther MacKinnon; and many other cousins and friends. Sara was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Mary Mitchum MacKinnon of Atlanta, GA and cousins Polly McTeer, Gene McTeer, Malcolm McTeer, and Harriette Bowen.

In lieu of flowers, please help fight Alzheimer’s with a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/or support Sara’s love of animals with a donation to Pet Helpers Adoption Center and Spay/Neuter Clinic https://pethelpers.org/ .

gifts Panama Canal Museum Collection Endowment - University of Florida Advancement (https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/017605-panama-canal-museum-collection-endowment/)