Sarah Gray Wallace Bonniville, 81, of Columbia died peacefully on Saturday, February 21, 2015 after a brief illness. Born in Norfolk, Virginia on October 6, 1933 to Jimmie and Gray Wallace, she was the eldest of three sisters.
Sarah Gray graduated from Maury High School in Norfolk, Virginia where she was chosen as Most Popular and Most Likely to Succeed. While there, she met the love of her life, Jack Bonniville. She went on to graduate from the College of William and Mary where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. After marrying in 1956, Jack and Sarah enjoyed 58 years together. They moved the family to Columbia in 1967 where Sarah taught preschool at St. Michael and All Angels' Episcopal Church and Bethel United Methodist Church. Sarah was a longtime member of Bethel United Methodist Church where she was active in the United Methodist Women, Lina Ott Circle, and of course, the preschool. One of her greatest joys was singing with the children during her years as Bethel Preschool's director and then later as a welcome volunteer.
Sarah supported Jack's career as an engineer with Wilbur Smith and Associates through her membership in the Women's Auxiliary of the South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers. Sarah disliked flying, but because of Jack's job, she enjoyed travelling to various exotic locations around the world and the family created wonderful memories while living in Australia for three years. She always had great fun visiting with friends through her bridge clubs and as a member of the Daylily Garden Club.
She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother who was happiest while with her family. Her world truly revolved around her family and church.
Sarah is survived by her dear Jack; sons, Bill (Glenda), and grandson Will; son, Jim (Jan), and granddaughter, Ashton Lunceford; daughter, Marian Scullion (John), and grandchildren John Yarbrough (Samantha), and Elizabeth Yarbrough; sisters, Jane Wallace, and Mary Doyle (Jim); and nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Robert Tyson, who died in infancy.
A funeral service will be held at 2 o'clock Wednesday, February 25, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 4600 Daniel Drive, Columbia. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 5 until 7 o'clock at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. Memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 4600 Daniel Drive, Columbia, SC 29206.