Sarah Lawrence Burch, 89, of Covington, Virginia, died April 3, 2016 at the Brookdale Assisted Living Home in Richmond under the kind care of hospice. She was the wife of Jack N. Burch who preceded her in death in 2004.

Mrs. Burch was born November 7, 1926 in Covington, Virginia, a daughter of the late Sarah Lillian Maxwell and Ethan Russell Lawrence.

She graduated from Covington High School and was a member of the high school band.

Sarah worked at the First National Bank, the Better Business Bureau, and retired from the Covington School System as secretary of Edgemont Elementary School.

Sarah was an active member of her community and church. She was a member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Women of the Church group, and served on Alter Guild for many years; she was a long time member of the Covington Junior Women's Club and the Covington Women's Club; the Jackson River Garden Club; and was Covington's Christmas Mother one year.

In addition to her husband, Jack N. Burch, and her parents, Lillian Maxwell Lawrence and Ethan Russell Lawrence, she is preceded in death by her brother, John S. Lawrence and sisters, Elizabeth (Betty) L. Sibley and Eleanor L. Ergenbright.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon B. Clarke and her husband, Thomas of Richmond, and her son, David J. Burch and his wife, Donna of Harrisonburg; grandchildren Christin C. McDuffie and her husband, Neill, of Glenn Allen, Jason E. Burch and his girlfriend, Erin Shehane, and Kelly E. Burch of Harrisonburg; and great grandchildren Tyler Farley and Aidan McDuffie of Glen Allen; and many loving nieces and nephews: Patricia L. Campbell and husband, Gene; Steven Lawrence and wife, Joyce; Robert Lawrence and wife, Cindy; Kara Reinertsen and husband, John; Greg Ergenbright and wife, Jennifer; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. Also her special friend and caregiver, Jeannie Jerman of Covington. Plus special friends Jere Garcia and Mildred McCabe; in addition, the resident assistants, med techs, and nurses at the Brookdale Assisted Living Home in Richmond, and to her hospice nurses in Richmond.

A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Robert T. Copenhaver officiating. Interment will be at Alleghany Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be: Jason Burch, Tyler Farley, Greg Ergenbright, Neill McDuffie, John Reinertsen, and Brent Camden. Honorary pallbearers will be: Tom Clarke, Buster Noel, and Pat Loving.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home on Friday evening.

Immediately after the committal at Alleghany Memorial Park family and friends are invited to Sarah’s home, 1190 S. Mound Ave., for refreshments.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that tributes take the form of donations to: United States Equine Rescue League - Richmond Region at P. O. Box 206, Mechanicsville, VA 23111 in memory of Mrs. Burch.

Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.