March 25, 1931 ~ February 2, 2022
Sarah Anderson Helton of Raleigh passed away peacefully at her home on Feb. 2, 2022, with her two devoted children by her side. She was 90 years old.
March 25, 1931 ~ February 2, 2022
The eldest of four children, Sarah was born in Mars Hill where she spent her youth on her family’s dairy farm.
With a great mind and tenacious determination, she graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1953 with a master’s degree in mathematics. In 1970, her love for math brought her to Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, NC, where she steadfastly taught for 20 years. Upon her retirement in 1990, the mountains beckoned, and she returned to her childhood home in Mars Hill. In 2012, Sarah relocated to Raleigh to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
Educated and intelligent, Sarah was the true definition of humility. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Sarah. She loved to watch golf but never played. In her retirement, she enjoyed sitting peacefully on her front porch, enjoying the stunning mountain views, enthusiastically counting the number of cars that passed (statistically determining that white is the most popular), and there wasn’t a crossword puzzle she couldn’t solve.
Sarah is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Carter Anderson and Mary Alta Carter Anderson, and her brother Franklin Anderson.
Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her sisters, Carolyn Gore of Orange City, FL and Frances Woosley of Charlotte; children Rhonda Terry and Steven Helton of Raleigh; son-in-law Michael Terry, daughter-in-law, Sherry Helton; her grandchildren, Andrew Terry, and Madison Helton; along with a host of close friends, former students, and anyone lucky enough to have spent just an afternoon with her.
Private services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would request donations be made in Sarah Helton’s name to Mars Hill University.
