Sara Lee Taylor Lueck

Heaven welcomed home a precious angel on April 13. Sara Lee Taylor Lueck passed away peacefully in the care of Hospice of the Panhandle surrounded by her loving and devoted family.

Born April 4, 1945 in Lewisburg, WV, Sara was the daughter of the late Arnette and Pansy (Martin) Taylor. In 1963, Sara came to Shepherdstown to attend what was then Shepherd College, where she met the love of her life, Allen Lueck. They married on August 7, 1971 and made Shepherdstown their home.

Sara graduated from Shepherd in 1967 with a degree in Business Education and a minor in Library Science. An educator for over fifty years, Sara began her career in Virginia at Marsetellar Middle and Blue Ridge Middle until she found her work home for the next 44 years at Jefferson High School.

Sara became a member of the New Street United Methodist Church in Shepherdstown where she served on numerous social committees as well as the Pastor Parish and other nominating committees. Always ready to help, she assisted with all church activities and generously donated funds. Most importantly, Sara was the church’s unofficial hospitality ambassador, eagerly welcoming newcomers with her endearing smile and heart-warming spirit.

Extremely involved in the community, Sara was a member of countless organizations over the years including but not limited to: Back Alley Garden Tour, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Jefferson County Cotillion. In 2018, the Shepherdstown Rotary Club presented Sara with its Vocational Service Award for her limitless goodwill.

A staunch supporter of Shepherd University, Sara was a lifetime member of the Shepherd University Alumni Association, a founding member of the Scarborough Society, WISH (Women Investing in Shepherd), Gridiron Club, President’s Club, Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society. and the SUAC (Shepherd University Athletic Club). Sara also served as a board member of the Scarborough Gala Committee, chairing the event from 2002-2022. She was also an instrumental volunteer with the Hall of Fame banquets at Shepherd, received the Hall of Fame medallion, and was inducted into the Joseph P. McMurran Society.

Together, Sara and Al were members of the Shepherd University Foundation. They created five scholarships supporting the football program, donated a Steinway & Sons upright piano in memory of her sister, Drema, and contributed funds toward the purchase of Shepherd’s ram mascot, JC. Both Sara and Al are recognized in the university’s Honor Roll of Donors as part of the Shepherd Club and were named outstanding Alumni of the Year in 2013.

Known for being the heart of J-High, Sara was not just the media specialist/librarian at Jefferson, she was the epitome of grace, hospitality, optimism, and hope. She welcomed everyone as if they were family, always eager and willing to help in any way possible to ensure they felt a part of the school she so dearly loved. In honor of her unwavering devotion to the school, its staff and especially its students, the media center is now the Sara Lueck Library and Media Center.

A champion of everything Jefferson, Sara believed wholeheartedly in sportsmanship and spearheaded the Sportsmanship Committee at Jefferson where she coordinated football tailgates and senior picnics. Everything Sara did at school was for the students, her kids. As their biggest fan, she attended as many sporting events, concerts, activities, performances, ceremonies, banquets, dances, and graduations as she could.

Family also meant the world to Sara as evidenced by what a wonderful loving and devoted wife, sister, and aunt she was to all of them. Surviving Sara is her beloved husband of 51 years, Allen Lueck; her twin sister, Sue Edwards (James); and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Drema Taylor Reed and brothers Harold Walker Taylor and Arlie Laird Taylor.

Services for Sara will be held in the gymnasium at Jefferson High School on Saturday, April 29, 2023 with Rev. John Rudolph officiating. Receiving friends will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The service will commence at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making contributions to The Shepherd University Foundation (P.O. Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV 25443) and Jefferson High School (4141 Flowing Springs Road, Shenandoah Jct., WV 25442) in memory of Sara Lueck on the memo line or New Street United Methodist Church, 202 W. New Street, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.

Arrangements are by the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Ranson, WV.

Please sign her online guestbook at www.mtstrider.com.