By Staff
April 1, 2008
Funeral for Sarah Franklin Hartsell, 90, of Birmingham was Friday, Apr. 4, at 1 p.m. at Palisades Church of Christ in Birmingham with Johns-Ridout’s Mortuary Elmwood Chapel directing.
Burial was in Elmwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Hartsell died Tuesday, Apr. 1, 2008. She moved to Birmingham with her family when she was a seven-year -old. She was a member of Inglenook United Methodist Church, where she was actively involved with the United Methodist Women as well as many other church projects. After that church closed, she attended Boyles Methodist Church in Tarrant. For the past six years, she attended Palisades Church of Christ with her daughter-in-law, Sandra. She was an active member of the Tuesday Ladies’ Bible Class.
Mrs. Hartsell was preceded in death by her parents, Isom and Julia Franklin, four sisters, two brothers and her husband, Charles Herschel Hartsell. Her husband was a member of the Birmingham Fire Department and the Firefighters Association. She was a long-time member and a past president of the Birmingham Ladies Firefighters Association.
She was known far and wide for her abilities as a wonderful cook and seamstress. An avid reader, her love of books and libraries greatly influenced her family.
She is survived by two sons, Charles Ray Hartsell and wife Sandra of Birmingham and Dr. Lee Edward Hartsell and wife June of Hartselle; a daughter, Cindy Hartsell Louderback of Birmingham; a brother, L.E. (Lee Edward) Franklin and wife Betty of Gardendale; nine grandchildren, Catherine Newton and husband Raymond, Chuck Hartsell and wife Rachel, Chris Hartsell and wife Dare, John Hartsell and wife Marian and Andrew Louderback, all of Birmingham. Jim Hartsell and wife Jaymaine and Julie Rhodes and husband Cooper, both of Hartselle, Jennifer Hartsell of Minneapolis, Minn. and Carol Hartsell of New York; 12 great grandchildren; 10 nieces; and nine nephews.
Pallbearers were Jim Hartsell, Chuck Hartsell, Chris Hartsell, John Hartsell, Andrew Louderback and Raymond Newton.
The family extends thanks to Community Hospice of America, Dr. John Farley, RN Elisabeth Bottom, Julie Houston and caregivers Tunisa Jones and Alisha Williams. Friends may send flowers or make a contribution to the North Shelby Library, 5521 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham AL 35242.