Sara Shelton Browner died peacefully on December 8, 2025, in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where she had lived since 2013. She was 89. She was predeceased by her husband George Robert Browner, Jr.

Born in Kingsport, Tennessee on January 25, 1936, Sara was the youngest of three daughters of George Henry Shelton and Louise Jackson Shelton. The early loss of her two older sisters and father shaped her life with a quiet resilience and a deep appreciation for the bonds she cherished throughout her life. She was especially devoted to and inspired by her mother. During World War II, Sara lived in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where her mother counseled employees who worked on the top-secret mission to build the atomic bombs that would end the war. Following the war, Sara and her mother settled in Tazewell, Virginia, where she was surrounded by a large extended family and lifelong friends. She graduated from Tazewell High School at age 16 and went on to attend Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (now Randolph College) in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Two weeks after her graduation from Randolph-Macon, Sara married George, the love of her life. During their first year of marriage, they lived in Hanau, Germany while George served in the Army. Thereafter, George’s career with The Mead Corporation took them to Dayton, Ohio, Atlanta, Georgia, and Neenah, Wisconsin. Following George’s retirement, they settled happily on Callawassie Island, South Carolina. Wherever they lived, Sara became an integral part of her community. She was a widely curious reader with a sharp sense of engagement with the world around her. In Dayton, she co-founded Peanut Press, a widely distributed children’s newspaper, and earned her master’s degree in library science with highest honors from Wright State University. She was a member of The Junior League in Dayton and Atlanta, a devoted member of the Episcopal church wherever she lived, and a crackerjack bridge player. A summer in Europe during college sparked a lifelong love of travel.

Sara is survived by her four children: Louise Browner Blanchard (Buck), Kathleen Browner, George R. Browner III (Caryl), and John S. Browner (Christine); 11 grandchildren: Charlie (Kelly), Mac (Anna), and Franny Blanchard, Ann Pearman Blanchard Harkins (David), and Lauren, Josh, Jack (Olivia), Sara, Ben, Gage, and Millie Browner; and four great-grandchildren: Gus, Perry, and Josephine Blanchard and Hal Harkins.

Sara’s family is deeply grateful to the staffs of The Dogwood Neighborhood at the Preston Health Center and MiraSol Health Hospice Care of the Low Country, who cared for her so lovingly in the last years of her life.

A memorial service for Sara will take place at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Hilton Head at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://donorservices.alz.org, MiraSol Health, https://mirasolhealth.org/donate/, or All Saints' Episcopal Church, 3001 Meeting Street, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926, or www.allsaints-hhi.org/giving.