Sara Hargrove Robertson

Sara Hargrove Robertson died Tuesday, December 3, 2024 of cancer in Charleston, South Carolina. She was just past her 80th birthday on November 6th. 

Here is the letter she wrote to friends and family:

"I was born and lived as a rascal all my days. I never had a "real" job but had fabulous adventures in the entrepreneurial world...from Northern Virginia to numerous places around the world. I was a really good 'operations' person and could fix almost any problem, no matter what you were dealing with. Most of this was with my husband, Bob Shumate, whom I married on October 16, 1976. Bob died November 20, 2013. Our first retirement was in 1998 when we retired to my family home in Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The second and final retirement was here in Charleston in 2004. This beautiful and loving place is now giving me my final shelter. 

As I have aged, I have real love and happiness that comes from families of the heart. This encompasses our blood families as well as our families by choice. I make special note of my first cousin, Harriet P. Duckett of Richmond. My sister, Ginger Oliver Smith of Williamsburg, is a sister of my heart and college roommate from 1962. My special family of choice is my step niece by marriage, Kelly Shumate and especially our "littlest pearl" Sami, of Richmond. Somehow of great good fortune I inherited my three stepchildren, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Kiddos, this is for you with much love. Ha ha...we've had our ups and downs but I hold you dearly in my heart. Sheri, Vicki and Buddy - from Indianapolis to Milwaukee to Davie, Florida, I don't think anyone would ever be bored with the Shumate family!! 

So now at my end of days I have been blessed by this wonderful city and friends. I send special love to friends Helen and Bob Ross and Tami McCann all of Charleston as well as Susan and Bruce Kelling in Oregon. If any of you open your hearts and spirits to your families of choice, there will always be those to comfort you and love you for being you. 

I ask for cremation and no services. I will be ready with a fabulous welcoming party when it's your time and I hope that's many years away. 

With my love to you all."