Sarah Ellen Pass

Tenacious, Resilient, Courageous, Committed, Loyal are words that best describe Sarah Ellen Pass. Her life was not a bed of roses one, but more of a roller coaster one. Through every difficult moment, she showed strength and determination. God sent His angels to carry Sarah to her heavenly home on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

Born on October 29, 1934, in the Vesta Community of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Sarah was the daughter of Ellen Roselle Smith Pass and Hamilton Parks Pass. She grew up there and attended the Oglethorpe County public schools and graduated from Arnoldsville High School. She attended Athens Business College and earned a degree in accounting. After graduating from Business College, she worked several years as secretary/bookkeeper for the principal of Mason Academy in Lexington, Georgia. She left that position and became a bookkeeper for Beck and Greg Hardware Company in Atlanta. After her stint there, she worked for Personally Yours Gifts in the Atlanta Merchandise Mart. Sarah loved sales and opened a small general merchandise store. After retiring, she volunteered as intake officer and cashier for Reflections, a church sponsored thrift store in Powder Springs. She volunteered there until well into her eighties when her health would no longer permit her to work. One of her favorite pass times was fishing. Sarah welcomed every opportunity to sit, fish and meditate whether it was on the banks of a country pond, river or on a busy peer into the ocean. Just mentioning deep sea fishing caused her to have an adrenaline rush.

Sarah accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and became a member of Vesta Baptist Church. After moving to Atlanta, she became a member of Hemphill Avenue Church of God which later became known as Mount Paran Church of God. She remained an active member of Mount Paran and its Sunday School until, again, her health would no longer permit her to attend. She always said her strong faith and commitment saw her through every trial. She held onto this promise until her death.

Sarah was predeceased by her parents and brother John Hamilton Pass, a god child Patrice (Mickey) Smith and close friend Lynn Smith. She is survived by her brother, Bill Pass, her sister-in-law Maggie Pass, two nieces, Melinda Pass and Paula (Bob) Smith, and great-nieces Amber (Cody) Payne and KayLee Bridges, and great-nephews Connor and Hunter Smith also survive her. She also leaves behind her cousins Carrie Bell Wall and Betty Jo Pryor and a close friend, Estelle Smith.

Graveside services will be 4PM on Friday, July 31, 2026 in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Elberton, Georgia with the Reverend Adam Reynolds, Pastor of Joy Baptist Church, officiating.

The family expresses its heartfelt thanks to the staff of Harborview Rome, as well as to the staff of Traditions Hospice, Rome, Georgia, for the love and care they gave to Sarah in the closing days of her life. Also thank you to Berry Funeral Home and Crematory for the professional way in which they handled her funeral arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in Sarah’s memory to Joy Baptist Church, Hull, Georgia or to a charity of your choice and will be greatly appreciated. 

Berry Funeral Home and Crematory of Elberton is in charge of the funeral arrangements for Ms. Sarah Ellen Pass.