December 25, 1933 – May 10, 2018
Sarah Elizabeth Wilson Meeks, a native of Northern Ireland and longtime resident of Mobile, Alabama, went home to be with the Lord on May 10, 2018. She was 84. In addition to being a loving and devoted wife, mother, and sister, she served as a faithful member of Covenant Church of Mobile for over 40 years.
Sarah was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, William (Bill) Meeks; her daughter Sharon Leslie Meeks; parents William Wilson and Grace Calderwood Wilson; brothers Robert (Bobby) and William (Willie) Wiseman; sisters Marjorie Wiseman Campbell and Esther (Essie) Wilson Ashcroft; and her brother Leslie Wilson. She is survived by her brother Alexander (Alex) Wilson of Northern Ireland; daughters Colleen Meeks Dudeck (Kevin) of Mobile and Heather Meeks Hickox (Patrick) of Fairhope; son William Walden Meeks of New York; grandchildren Jacob Reilly Clover of New Orleans, Hunter Patrick Hickox of Athens, Georgia, Kaitlin Grace Clover of Charlotte, North Carolina, Savannah Elizabeth Hickox of Pensacola, Florida; sisters-in-law Patricia Wilson, Isobel Wilson, Dannie Rutherford, and Barbara Meeks; brother-in-law Lorenzo Meeks; and many nieces and nephews in the U.S. and abroad in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland as well as many dear friends.
Sarah, known as “Sadie’ by family and friends alike, was born in Dromona (Cullybackey), County Antrim, Northern Ireland on Christmas Day, 1933. She graduated from the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children’s School of Nursing in 1956, and received her certification as a Registered Sick Children’s Nurse in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. She chose to travel to Berlin, Germany to serve as a pediatric nurse to children living in refugee camps in that war-torn city. While in Berlin Sarah gathered often with other fellow believers at a Christian boarding house called “The Fellowship House.” It was here that she met the love of her life and future husband, Bill Meeks, an American G.I from Sandersville, Georgia. After a whirlwind courtship of 3 weeks, the two were engaged. They married later the same year and remained devoted to each other in sickness and health throughout their entire marriage. Sarah worked as a registered nurse at the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama when she and Bill moved to that city. She eventually retired from nursing to raise her family.
Sarah was raised in an Irish home that emphasized faith in God, hard work, perseverance, and close family ties. Her life clearly demonstrated these attributes. Her faith and trust in God were the most defining characteristics of her life, and her faith influenced every relationship she had. Her faith remained unwavering, even in the face of daunting circumstances, and her Bible was well-worn from constant use. She was also known for her rich and abiding prayer life. Prayer was more than something she did; it was how she lived. Whether in joy or sorrow, Sarah went to the Lord in prayer with everything. She also made it a practice to pray on behalf of others and was known as a “prayer warrior” to many. Her dear friend Linnie Gibbs shared her love of the Lord, and the two had a treasured friendship that lasted for decades.
Sarah was well known for her distinctively Irish personality. She was quick-witted and loved to laugh. Friends and family members alike knew her penchant for pranks. When faced with hardship, she
responded with faith, courage, and fierce determination. She overcame cancer, the loss of her daughter and the loss of her husband, and through it all she continued to trust the Lord.
Sarah Meeks leaves an incredible legacy of faith to her children, grandchildren, and all who were honored to know her. A memorial service will be held at Covenant Church of Mobile on May 19 from 11-12:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hidden Treasures Orphanage, in care of CSM, P.O. Box 850067, Mobile, Alabama, 36685-0067. (Please note gifts as Sarah Meeks’ Memorial.)
“Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn’t last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised.” Proverbs 31:30
