Sarah Bell Gurley, 91, of Akron received her wings on January 12, 2018 after a brief illness.

She was born on November 20, 1926, in Dalton, Ga. Her family came to Akron as a young child to live and make it home.  Sarah worked at Polsky’s Department store in the salon and at St. Thomas (Summa) Hospital as a cook until she retired. She had a specialty dish called “Sarah’s Surprise”, which was loved and eaten by all.

Sarah is a lifelong member of St Paul A.M.E. Church, which she loved dearly. Her father was a pastor in the AME church as a young child. She was an active member in her local church.   She had a laughter that was contagious and always had a smile. Her focus was always teaching us moral values and talking to the family about family history and what it was like when she was a little girl.  Her door was always open to anyone that wanted to talk, listen to old stories, and share a few laughs while sitting on her porch. She was a wealth of knowledge- everyone would called her for phone numbers, addresses and recipes.

We find peace in knowing that she is reunited with her husband, James Gurley, Sr.; parents Hoyle and Russel Mae; brother Hoyle; sisters Christine, Dorothy, Mildred and 2 great grandchildren.

Sarah is survived by her daughters Karen Johnson, Cheryl (William) Richardson, Gwendolyn (James) Shropshire, Christine Gurley, Vanzi Wright all of Akron, OH and Vonzi Anderson from Aurora, Il; sons Wesley (Emma) Black, James Gurley Jr, and Joseph Gurley, all of Akron, Ohio. Sarah has 19 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and 2 great- great grandchildren. She also leaves her close friends Ruby Gurley, Betty Winn, Darnela Bryant, James Black; and adopted daughter Jackie Silas-Butler and a host of other family and friends.