Sarah Canty

SPRINGFIELD GARDEN, N.Y. – Sarah Canty entered eternal rest on Tuesday, July 3, 2007, at Northshore University Hospital.

Born June 23, 1918 in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Robert Johnson Sr. and Sarah James Johnson. She received her education in the public schools of Clarendon County and attended Antioch AME Church in Rimini with her family.

On Dec. 27, 1940, Sarah was united in holy matrimony to Hamilton Canty of Pinewood and to this union two children were born. She moved to New York and became a faithful member of Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church, where she was a member for 58 years. There, she was a member of the Altar Guild and the Food Pantry Ministry. She was employed with the New York City Board of Education and retired in 1983.

In 1999, she moved to Queens to live near her daughter and joined St. Albans Presbyterian Church and inspired the church to provide uniforms for the children who served as acolytes. She volunteered her time to the children of Public School 15 in Queens and became a grandmother to many. Her community activities continued as a member of the Lantre Senior Citizen Center and the Robert Couche Senior Center, where she enjoyed creating ceramics. She also participated in the Montauk Senior Citizen Bible study every week.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her daughter, Barbara Canty-Ballard; seven grandchildren, Kelvin Canty, Valerie Canty, Cheryl Canty-Lance, Antoine Lamont Bracey, Marc Bellard, Lauren Bellard and Jonathan Bellard; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one daughter-in-law, Carolyn Yvonne Canty.

She was preceded in death by her son, Herbert Canty; and six siblings, Simon, Emma, Maude, Robert, Rebecca and Louise.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 9, 2007, at Antioch AME Church with the Rev. Georgeann Pringle, pastor, and the Rev. Mellissa Green, eulogist.

Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Community Funeral Home of Sumter was in charge of arrangements.