Sarah K. Arant, 97, of Sedalia, Ky., July 31, 2024.

She lived her entire life in Western Kentucky and was fiercely devoted to her family. Born in the bend of the Cumberland River near Kuttawa, Ky., she was steeped in the rural traditions of farming, gardening, and canning fruits and vegetables. The family farm was sold when the TVA came to dam the river and create hydroelectric power. It now partially lies under Lake Barkley. After that, her family resettled on a farm in Graves County. In her late teens she met Charles T. Arant, right before he deployed to Europe as a U.S. Army private. They corresponded during the entirety of his time in Europe and Korea. Within three months of his return home, the two eloped and remained steadfast partners for the next 68 years.

After her high school graduation in Lyon County, she worked in Paducah at Yopp Seed Company, at the Rayovac Battery plant, and she took night classes in writing. After her marriage, she and Charles maintained a small farm with cows, hogs and a large vegetable garden. They sold vegetables to local grocery stores and individuals, and Sarah put up green beans, purple hull peas, corn, tomatoes, many kinds of pickles, dried apples and squash. She canned peaches, froze strawberries, and made jellies, jams and grape juice from her own grapes. The Greg Brown song "Canned Goods" describes her perfectly. "She's got magic in her, you know what I mean, she puts the sun and the rain in with the green beans." Anyone who tasted her meals knew that she had a gift.

She was staunchly devoted to her family, taking care of her mother, sister, brother and other family members through various illnesses until they died. She would do anything for her husband and two children, supporting them through childhood illnesses, broken bones and other osteopathic difficulties, going anywhere they were playing a ball game or singing with a choir, and loving them and their families in adulthood in all their endeavors. No family ever received more love than what was given so unconditionally by Sarah and Charles.

Predeceased by her husband, parents and three siblings, she is survived by her two children and their spouses, a grandson, two granddaughters and their spouses, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. The family is grateful for her caregivers at Hickory Woods Senior Living, Lake Way Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Home Instead, neighbors, particularly Doug Thomas, Steve Howe, and other friends who have given incalculable help and support.

Funeral services for Sarah Conley Arant will be 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Byrn Funeral Home in Mayfield, Kentucky. Rev. Steve Howe will officiate. Interment will follow at Highland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 2024, at the funeral home.