Sarah Sandlin McKay

Sarah Sandlin McKay of Birmingham, Alabama, died peacefully surrounded by family in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Born on September 13, 1934, and raised in Hamilton, Alabama, Sarah was the youngest of four children and the only girl. She graduated from Hamilton High School, where she first met Kermit McKay, who would later become her husband. After high school, Sarah earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from The University of Alabama, and a master's degree in education and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education from U.A.B. She was an active member of several honor societies in Education including Kappa Delta Pi, Kappa Delta Gamma and Kappa Delta Epsilon. Sarah loved teaching children and spent most of her career teaching first grade at Curry Elementary School in the Birmingham City System. After 39 years of service in the Alabama public school system, Sarah retired but continued to stay active by working at the Community Education South Community School as an administrative assistant for another 10 years.

Sarah was a faithful member of McElwain Baptist Church for over 40 years and was an active participant in McElwain's Loving Touch Ministry. Sarah remained a member at McElwain Baptist Church (since renamed Hope Community Church) even after moving to Atlanta, Georgia to be near her two daughters.

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Kermit V. McKay; parents Sivola Clark Sandlin and Murk Sandlin; and brothers Edward, George and Guy Sandlin. She is survived by her two daughters, Diana McKay Buko and her husband Steve; and Selisa McKay Wright and her husband Alan, all of Atlanta, Georgia; and six grandchildren, Stephen (Colleen), Morgan and Spencer Buko and William, Sarah Ann (Michael Head) and Owen Wright.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens in Trussville, Alabama at 10:00 am, with the service following at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Community Church at 4445 Montevallo Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35213.