Funeral services for Sarah L. Edwards Gartrell, 76, of Washington were held Sunday, December 27, 2009, at Springfield Baptist Church, Washington, with Rev. Norman Williams officiating. Interment was in City West Cemetery. She died Wednesday, December 23, at the Nancy Hart Nursing Center, Elberton.

Mrs. Gartrell was a native of Wilkes County and the daughter of the late Frank Edwards and Bertha Mercier Edwards. She was a member of Springfield Baptist Church. She graduated from the Wilkes County Public School System and retired after 35 years of service in the food service for the Wilkes County School System. She was the widow of Frank Gartrell.

Survivors include a sister, Christine Parks; a god-brother, Carlton Kendrick; a god-sister, Betty Willis, two step-children, Frankie and Annie Ruth Gartrell; two step-grandchildren, Veronica Williams and Selina Smith; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Staff members of the Nancy Hart Nursing Center served as pallbearers.

Davenport-McLendon Mortuary Inc. of Washington was in charge of arrangements.