Sarah Messer Prior

Mrs. Sarah Messer Prior, beloved wife of the late Willard W. Prior, entered into rest on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Lake Crossing Health Center. The family was privileged to have recently celebrated her 87th birthday with her.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 23, 2013 in the Storey Chapel at First Baptist Church of Augusta with the Dr. Gregory DeLoach officiating. Burial will follow in Westover Memorial Park.
Survivors are her three children, Robert Willard Prior (Sheila) of Appling, Georgia, Michael Howard Prior (Michele) of Martinez, Georgia, and Sharon Prior Davis (Michael) of Woodstock, Georgia. She has ten grandchildren Meridith Metts (Brian), Jaime Jones (Michael), Colby Prior (Amanda), Shelton Johnson, Seth Prior, Nathaniel Prior (Kara), Rebecca Prior, Kathleen Riley (Michael), Allison Davis, and Laurie Davis. Mrs. Prior is also survived by seven great grandchildren.
Additional survivors are four brothers Bill, Jack, Robert, and Joe Messer and two sisters Bonnie Doris Cearley and Pauline McEwen. There are also many dear nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews that have lost a dear loved one.
Mrs. Prior was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim Messer and George Messer as well as two sisters, Shirley Drane and Edna Hunter.
Sarah was a native of North Carolina, but spent most of her adult life in Augusta where she was a long time member of First Baptist Church. There she could often be found in the Preschool Building taking care of the children. She volunteered in the nursery as well as worked for many years with the Mother’s Day Out Program. Mrs. Prior also served for more than 30 years on the Women’s Board at University Hospital where she volunteered as a “pink lady” escorting patients to their room or arranging flowers in the hospitality shop. Mrs. Prior enjoyed sewing, canning and spending time with her family, especially on a dock, fishing. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Pallbearers will be Colby Prior, Brian Metts, Mike Jones, Shelton Johnson, Mike Riley, and Dahl Tritt.
If so desired, donations may be made to First Baptist Church, Preschool Building, 3500 Walton Way Extension, Augusta, Georgia, 30909.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, May 22, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.