Sarah Laverne Graham

Sarah Laverne Graham, age 82, returned to her heavenly home on July 11, 2024, after a long battle with multiple illnesses. Sarah was born on January 10, 1942, in Birmingham, AL to Alice and Charles Bailey, Sr. She often told the story of when her family settled in Racine, Wisconsin, which she considered her hometown. Sarah was a faithful servant, and a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many.

Sarah suffered and aneurism and stroke approximately five years ago, and she faced her illnesses with bravery and strength. Throughout her treatment, she remained positive and focused on the things that brough her joy - her family, her hobbies and her church.

Sarah spent her career as a nurse. She graduated from The Gateway Technical Institute with a diploma in Licensed Practical Nursing in December 1972. She worked as a nurse at High Ridge and Kenosha Memorial Hospitals, as an industrial nurse at Racine Steel Castings and InSinkErator. She retired from Olympia Brown Elementary School where she was a school nurse. Sarah had a passion for caregiving, preaching and teaching, and she enjoyed helping people. When she was not working, she enjoyed cooking and baking and her hobbies included sewing, knitting, arts and crafts, gardening, reading, writing and being a mother to everyone.

She was a long-time active member of Faith Christian Fellowship church in Racine where she is affectionately known as Elder Graham and Grammy. During her time at Faith Christian Fellowship Church, she was involved in the music ministry, the hospitality ministry and a woman’s outreach ministry to help lead incarcerated women to a Christian-focused paths upon their release. She has maintained some of those relationships to this day.

One of the highlights of Sarah’s life was a missionary trip to Africa to build a church, provide, resources and spiritual healing to those affected by the drought and famine in the country. On Mother’s Day, May 8, 2022, she was honored by the church as an Official Church Mother for her wisdom, kindness, grace, and love recognizing all she has done for the members of Faith Christian Fellowship.

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, George Graham; son, Daniel A. Flowers; parents, Alice and Marks Rainey, and Charles Bailey Sr; siblings, Shelly Lacey, Brenda Streeter, Betty Carr, and Charles Bailey, Jr.

Sarah was survived by sons, Clifford D. Flowers Sr. (Brooklyn Park, MN), and Ronald D. Flowers, Jr. (Milwaukee, WI); grandson, Clifford D. Flowers Jr. “CJ” (Brooklyn Park, MN); great grandsons, Coen Flowers, and Clifford D. Flowers, III (Brooklyn Park, MN); and sibling, Carolyn Bailey (Racine, WI).

Funeral services celebrating Sarah’s life will be held at the funeral home, 11:00 am, Saturday July 27, 2024, with Rev. Todd and Rev. Sheila Nienhaus concelebrating. Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family for Visitation, Saturday at 10:00 am until time of service at the funeral home. Private interment will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park.