Sarah Elaine Appell

Sarah Elaine Appell October 13, 1949 – February 19, 2007 Sarah Elaine Appell, 57, beloved daughter, sister and friend, died on the evening of February 19, 2007 at Providence Hospital. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 23 at Oakwood Cemetery, with the Rev. Jeff Fisher officiating. Visitation will be from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Sarah was born to Charles Samuel Appell Jr. and Martha Saunders Appell on October 13, 1949 in Waco, TX. She began her education at a special pre-school organized by her mother, after the establishment of a local chapter of The Association for Retarded Citizens. She received her high school diploma from Kirk Wilson School, where she was an honor student. She was later employed by the Waco I.S.D. for over 20 years. She retired as a teacher’s aide from Lake Waco School in January 1998. Sarah lived a full and productive life. She participated in activities through the ARC and was active in local and state chapters of Self Advocates, a group for adults with mental retardation. She received the honor of being chosen self-advocate of the year for the State of Texas in 1999, and accepted her award at a ceremony in Austin, TX. She was a member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church of Waco. Special interests included bowling, dancing, attending self-advocate conventions, listening to music and spending time with her uncle Melbourne Appell, as well as other family members and friends. In recent years she enjoyed a close relationship with her caregiver, “Mama” Fern Lee at Ridgecrest Retirement and Nursing Center. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Samuel Appell Jr.; her brother, Charles Samuel Appell III and grand-niece, Malin Grace Lucido. Survivors include her mother, Martha Appell of Waco; sister, Carol Kehl and husband, David of Tyler; Susan Appell of Waco; nephews, Mike Moody of Georgetown; David Kehl III and wife, Laura of Lumberton; Marcus Appell of Austin; nieces, Kristin Lucido and husband, Jeff of Garland; Anne Brady of Waco; Jennifer Hall and husband, Ryan of Orange; grand-nieces, Samantha Brady, Isabella Lucido and Caitlin Kehl; and grand-nephew, David Kehl IV. Memorials may be made to The ARC of McLennan County, 1825 Morrow Ave., Waco, TX 76707, or a charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey