Sara R. Smith

July 20, 1936 - November 15, 2018

Columbia—Funeral services for Sara R. Smith, 82, of Columbia, will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, November 18, 2018 at Park Street Baptist Church, 2204 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201 with burial in Bush River Memorial Gardens, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212. The family will receive friends at the church 1:30-2:45 p.m. prior to the service. Temple Halloran Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Born July 20, 1936 in Johnstown, PA, Sara was the daughter of the late Carl and Effie Riddinger. She grew up in Johnstown and met and married James J. Smith in 1959. She and Jim would be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in April 2019. They moved their family to SC in 1963 and have called Columbia their home for 55 years. Sara retired from Colonial Life Insurance Company after many years of service where she served as a corporate trainer. Sara was a faithful member of Park Street Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Ready Sunday School class. She taught SS, and served on many different committees. One of her greatest joys was to serve on the planning team for the Church’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. Sara and Jim have five children, Kathy Sikes (Randy) of Irmo, Jeffrey Smith (Lynn) of Columbia, Lisa Poole (Greg) of Kalaheo, Kauai, James Smith of Columbia and Rebecca Dillard (Mike) of Irmo; 8 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. She leaves behind her sister, Hannah Bender and brother, Warren Riddinger along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Blair Hildebrand. Sara will be greatly missed by her family and friends but we rejoice with her that she is enjoying sweet fellowship with her Savior and those who have gone before her. The Smith family would like to thank all of the health care providers who took great care of Sara over this past year as well as Palmetto Health Hospice.