She was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Feb. 4, 1938, the daughter of Ralph and Maud Hale. At age 7 she moved with her family to Gordonsville, where she spent her childhood and teenage years.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Malcolm Brownlee; her sons, Hale and John; her sister, Pat Fox; and three grandsons.

She obtained a bachelor of arts degree from Virginia Tech and practiced architecture in Orange and Richmond, as well as in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Atlanta, Ga.

From 1973 until 1984, she and Malcolm were Presbyterian missionaries in Yogyakarta and Jakarta, Indonesia. In Yogyakarta she homeschooled her children, taught English, and led a women’s Bible study. In Jakarta she was an architect.

In 1988 at age 50 she changed careers and attended classes at West Georgia University, where she earned a master of science engineering degree. She became a teacher of special education, specializing in teaching children with learning disabilities. She taught in public schools in Georgia, North Carolina and West Virginia and tutored many children one-on-one.

She was active in churches all her life. She led church groups and taught classes for both adults and children. She had a love for art and late in life blossomed as a painter of landscapes and other watercolor paintings.

She was appreciated by her many friends because of her quiet kindness, her empathy and generous spirit, and her ability to brighten the lives of others.

A memorial service for Sarah will be conducted at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Rockbridge Baths on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. by Drew Ditzel. The worship service will be followed by a reception in the church’s fellowship hall, which will be followed by a time of sharing of memories of Sarah in the church’s sanctuary.

The family requests that instead of flowers memorial gifts for Sarah be given to Bethesda Presbyterian Church or Lexington Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home and Crematory. NG