Sara Tillman Sellers

Sara Tillman Sellers, age 68, of Baxley died Thursday, September 8, 2016 at her daughter's home in Odum.

Mrs. Sellers was born April 27, 1948 in Ludowici to the late Robert Reppard Tillman and the late Vannie Nelson Tillman. She was a member of Harvest Chapel Church but attended Piney Grove Church of God in Odum for the past three years. Mrs. Sellers received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Valdosta State College. She participated in graduate studies at the University of Georgia and the University of Tennessee and received a Master's degree in Special Education from Valdosta State College.

Prior to moving to Baxley in 1977, Mrs. Sellers taught the fifth grade, the deaf, and the mentally handicapped in the Valdosta City Schools. She also taught the deaf in Houston County and the behaviorally disordered in Wayne County. She served on Valdosta State College's Special Education Field Advisory Council and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and the Council for Exceptional Children.

While she was a special education teacher at Appling Co. Primary School, she was recognized as Appling Co. Teacher of Year in 1985 and worked tirelessly to enhance the quality of education for handicapped children.

After retirement from the Appling Co. Board of Education she continues her career in education as a consultant and trainer for SRA & McGraw Hill.

She was also a member of the Appling County Retired Educators, Georgia Retired Teachers Association, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Daughters of the Confederacy.

Mrs. Sellers was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Marlin Sellers and her son, James Tyler Stockman.

Survivors include her daughters, Rikki (James E.) Clary of Odum, Blair Woodard Courson of Savannah, & Amy Branson Summerall of Baxley; sister, Brenda Jowers of Blackshear; brother, Max (Sherry) Tillman of Alma; 10 grandchildren, Sara-Hayden Sellers Clary, Ada Gail Clary, John Taylor Clary, James Decoda (Morgan) Clary, Madilyn Page Clary, Caitlin (Ren) Theus, Catherine (Brock) Murray, Sydney Woodard, Jacob Ty Craven, & Nathan Joshua Courson; 4 great-grandchildren, Peyton Clary, Cooper Clary, Justin Braxton Clary & Carter Murray.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 3:00 pm at Harvest Chapel Church with Bishop Randy Sellers officiating & eulogies by Maggie Boozer & Jane Aycock. Mrs. Sellers will lie in state one hour prior to funeral service.

Active pallbearers are Dax Brown, Bender Brown, John Taylor Clary, James Decoda Clary, Jared Kevin White, Jacob Ty Craven & Nathan Joshua Courson.

Honorary pallbearers are Johnnie & Liz Corry, Adam & Melanie O'Quinn, Phil & Betty Jo Jenkins, Carolyn Lott, Allison Murray, Mr. & Mrs. Darwin Crummey, Mr. & Mrs. Bender Brown & family, Charlie & Susie Stuckey, Karren Wheeler Pye, Staff of Appling Family Total Healthcare, Ray Dixon, Johnny & Karen Glenn, Duane & Margaret Whitley, Mickey & Carole Grainger, Jerry & Gail Baxley, Bob & Val Rump, Janie Tyre, Jennifer Johnson, Zack Johnson, David & JoAnne Luke & Appling County Retired Educators & Former Associates of SRA & McGraw Hill.

Interment will follow in Omega Cemetery.

Visitation will be Saturday evening 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Harvest Chapel Church.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Appling Christian Academy 1479 Hatch Parkway South, Baxley, Ga. 31513

Family will assemble at the home of James & Rikki Clary, 668 Hoke Ogden Road in Odum.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.