Sarah was born May 18, 1954 in Springfield MO to Sarah and Clifford Marshall. She joined them in heaven on July 25, 2022. Sarah was always exceptionally smart, exceedingly independent and fiercely loyal to friends, family, and her animals. Second place was never acceptable—Sarah excelled at everything she attempted and put forth whatever effort it took to make it so.

Sarah attended Willard High School and Southwest Missouri State University, graduating with honors of course. She attained her master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Oklahoma. Though she enjoyed living in OKC, she was drawn back to Springfield to care for her mother. This selfless act led to her meeting the love of her life, Terry Roberts. They married December 24, 2009 and lived happily until Terry’s untimely death in 2019.

Sarah was employed by the Springfield Public Library from 2002 until the time of her death as a Web Application Developer, a job she continued without pause through the COVID shutdown. She modified processes to create online activities to meet the needs of consumers using the library’s services.

A civil-war buff, Sarah devoured anything about this time period in American history. Growing up, Sarah was active in Girl Scouting, receiving the highest achievement of Senior Scout before closing the door on her youth. Sarah was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs. Sarah appreciated the beauty of all things in nature and lived in a setting that embodied all that she loved in her later years.

Sarah enjoyed working in accounting and doing web page design throughout her career. Sarah had wanted to be a coach, but her Dad insisted she do something “more stable.” Not to be denied, she became a National Junior’s Volleyball Referee at a young age, and was the President of the Southwest Missouri Volleyball Officials Association (SWMVOA) at the time of her death. In fact, Sarah did what she loved best—refereeing a volleyball tournament—on the last day of her life.

To say Sarah was selfless in helping others would be an understatement. She always made time for anyone in need, and was a natural mentor, counselor, and teacher.  She inherited her green thumb from her mom as well as her love and skill in cooking. She loved hosting large family gatherings. Sarah loved being Grandma Sarah and never missed an opportunity to spend time with her Grandkids and Great-Grandkids.  When COVID made that impossible, she cooked and drove for hours delivering home-cooked holiday foods to family and friends. She knew how to be a good friend and leaves behind a host of friends she treated like family.

A passionate animal lover, she loved watching the deer and birds. Her kitties were always a fixture in her life. Sissy, Boone, and Miss Kitty were Sarah’s surviving fur babies at the time of her death.

Additionally, Sarah is survived by her sister and her husband, Carol and Sidney Hanson; Step-daughter and her husband, Amanda and Kenny Siler, Grandchildren Brittany and Garrett Harp, Dustin and Kristin Siler; Great-Grandchildren Alyssa and Attie Harp, Elijah Kahle, Sydney and Xander Siler. Brothers-in-law Sean Roberts and Charley Roberts; Glenn and Darla Rowley and their children. Susan Patterson, Nancy Eike, Cindy Wilson, Bob Horton and Carolyn Harralson were considered Sarah’s extended family. Sarah was preceded in death by her parents, and spouse Terry Roberts.

Numerous friends, colleagues, and past students are left with all of us to continue her legacy.

In lieu of flowers, and because of her love and passion for volleyball, memorial contributions my be made to the SMVOA Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Community Foundation of the Ozarks. https://cfozarks.org/marshall

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard….” -A.A. Milne

 For those attending the service: If you knew Sarah, you know how adamant she was about following health protocols to prevent spread of COVID. She would be very sad if our gathering to honor her resulted in sickness. Out of respect for Sarah we encourage you to wear a mask during the visitation and service.

Visitation for Sarah will be 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 1, at Greenlawn Funeral Home East with service following at 2:00 p.m.

 Services for for Sarah will be streamed live on Zoom. Out of respect for the family please turn the audio and video off on you device. Thank you.

Meeting ID: 827 8465 3382

Meeting Passcode: 846459