Sarah Howell Memorial

Hi Y’All,

My name is Kelley Harris… Sarah Howell was one of the most important people in my family’s life! On Saturday, May 4th, she was killed in a tragic, unnecessary car accident in Kirkwood, MO around 8:45pm (about which information will be released upon the completion of the investigation). While a loved one’s death is always sad, Sarah’s seems especially unbearable because she was really in the prime of her life, sooo important to sooo many people, and about to start a new, exciting chapter.

I met Sarah when I was 21 and she’s been a present and integral part of my life ever since. She’s best friends with my wife and like a sister to me. She is our son’s godmother and took the role very seriously, spoiling him on every holiday/birthday!

If I left the house to hang out, it most likely included Sarah. She loved her traditions and there are many events we did with her every year. Kelly Barnard and I have been on many trips with Sarah to cities like Chicago, Nashville, Memphis; camped more times than I can count; and spent our twenties dancing, BBQing, and debating. Sarah is an amazing person! She had soo many friends, not acquaintances, but REALLY good friends.

Sarah wasn't just loved by her family and friends. Her girlfriend, Anna, and her son Aydan love her endlessly as she did them. Since their first date Anna and Sarah couldn't stop thinking about each other and quickly fell in love. This love extended to Anna's son, Aydan, who also quickly grew attached to Sarah as a loving part of their family. Sarah loved making them both fell happy, safe, and loved. Please send a special prayer/thought to them as their mourn their future without her.

Sarah was a beloved assistant principal at Confluence Academy in South St. Louis and adored by over a

decade of students, their families, and her peers and colleagues. She was a mentor to many of them and prided herself on how many people with whom she maintained those relationships.

Sarah loved her family with all her heart! She purposefully developed and nurtured meaningful relationships with her nieces and nephews despite the fact they all lived quite a distance from her. She ADORED them all.

Sarah was a woman of conviction, passion, and humor; kind but firm because she wanted the best for everyone. Her heart was the biggest and she loved her partners fiercely. She loved God and lived her life in line with her beliefs. She is most certainly in heaven today.

I’d be remissed if I didn’t mention SPORTS! Sarah’s heart and passion carried over to her love of sports. At Koshkonong High School, Sarah played basketball as a forward, ran cross country, and played softball. Additionally, she was a member of the Future Homemakers of America, Future Leaders of America, and was on the yearbook staff.

Sarah's achievements led to scholarships to Three Rivers Community College and Missouri Baptist University where she earned her BS in Education. As an educator, she went on to coach basketball at Jennings and Confluence Academy. On her own time, Sarah played recreational softball and flag football on “The Blades” for several years. She loved watching and attending sporting events and her favorite teams were the St. Louis Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Los Angles Chargers, and Duke.

Sarah wasn’t only successful on the court/field; she excelled in education as well. Sarah continued her education and earned both a Master’s and Specialist degrees in Educational Leadership through Arkansas State University with an impressive 4.0 for both advanced degrees! She was quite an accomplished woman.

Sarah’s radiant dimpled smile lit up every room and the world is a far darker place without her in it. We love and miss you, Sarah, our dearest friend. We will never be the same.

Now, her family and friends have the painful job of planning her funeral in Thayer, MO and a St. Louis Memorial in which to honor a life well lived and mourn the person we lost. However, the LAST thing Sarah would want is to put a financial burden on anyone. So, with a humble heart, we ask for your help.

All money donated to this GoFundMe will go to two places.  First, funds will go towards Sarah’s memorial service in St. Louis, organized by Kelley Harris and Kelly Barnard; one of which will be held for students, faculty and staff at Sarah’s school and for the St. Louis community…as I said, Sarah was well loved by all who knew her and one event is not nearly enough. Finally, any remaining funds will go toward a scholarship fund, currently in development, created in Sarah’s name which will make both need and merit based scholarships available for students of Confluence Academy of South City for continuing educational opportunities.  I’m still in the process of creating the schloarship and plan to have it ready by basketball season of the 2024-2025 school year.  Funds collected will go to me to reimburse payouts made with these two goals.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your love for Sarah by donating what you can, sharing this GoFundMe with others to spread her memory, and helping family and friends honor her in the best way they/we know how.

Thank you and may your life never know the loss we’re feeling, and your love shine on through the work you do while on this Earth.

With Love and Gratitude,

Kelley Harris and Kelly Barnard

Sarah’s Funeral Services (https://carterfuneralhomeinc.com/sarah-howell/)

“Funeral services for Sarah Howell, age 45, of St. Louis, Missouri, will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri. Visitation will be Thursday May 9, 2024, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.

Interment will be on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Koshkonong Cemetery, Koshkonong, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.”

Sarah’s Memorial Services in St. Louis

Confluence Academy (TBA)

St. Louis Community, Saturday 5/18/24

Saturday May 18th, 2024

The Gathering

2360 McCausland Ave,

St. Louis, MO 63143

10:30am-Noon

Reception announced after service.