Mrs. Sarah Maddox Belcher died Aug. 28. The daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. George (Minnie) Maddox, she was born in 1937, the youngest of 12 children. She was raised and educated in Newton County, graduating from Washington Street School and joining St. Paul AME Church at an early age. She was employed at Sodexo (Oxford College Dining Hall) for 43 years. She wed Mr. Carey Belcher in 1956 and recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. She was preceded in death by siblings Cleo Maddox, Ethel Maddox, Essie Pearl Maddox, George Maddox Jr., Charlie Maddox, Mozell Maddox and John Maddox; daughter Tina Marie Belcher; and son Kent Belcher.

Surviving are husband Mr. Carey Belcher; children Mr. and Mrs. Curtis (Alfreda) Belcher, Ms. Debra Belcher, Mr. and Mrs. Rodney (Angela) Belcher, Mr. and Mrs. Tracey (Dorothy) Belcher, Mr. Carey Belcher; 21 grandchildren; 27great-grandchildren; sisters Mrs. Ida Robinson, Ms. Dorothy Maddox, Mrs. Minnie Jackson; brother Mr. James Maddox; sister-in-law Mrs. Pearl Maddox; brothers-in-law Mr. Lindsey Belcher, Mr. and Mrs. William (Delores) Rakestraw, Mr. David Rakestraw; special friends including the Oxford Dining Hall staff; a host of nieces and nephews and loving and dear friends.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, at St. Paul AME Church with the Rev. Bernard Hamp and the Rev. Thomas Stegall officiating. Interment will follow at Graves Cemetery. Visitation is noon to 9 p.m. with family hour from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Sept. 2, at the funeral home.