Sarah Ann King, the 22-month- old daughter of two staff members of CrossRoads Camp and Conference Center, died Jan. 30 after a struggle with cancer.
Sarah Ann, whose parents, Robbie and Kelly King are site manager and food service manager, respectively, at the conference center, was buried Feb. 2 following a funeral service at Clifford Baptist Church in Lovingston.
Shortly after the Kings began serving at CrossRoads Conference Center in September 2003, Sarah Ann was diagnosed with cancer. In the months since, visitors to the conference center have been inspired by the Kings' enduring faith.
“It has been a testimony to their deep Christian commitment and spiritual maturity,” said Earlene Jessee, executive director of Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia, which operates the conference center. “All who have journeyed to CrossRoads have been blessed by their lives.”
During the funeral service, Michael R. Fitzgerald, pastor of Clifford Church, said that “God has mightily used Sarah Ann to teach us more about the Kingdom of heaven and about what it means to be his child.” He quoted J. Vernon McGee's statement that, “A brief life is not an incomplete life.”
Robbie King said, “In 22 months of life, she has touched more people than I could possibly touch if I lived to be 100 years old.”
In addition to her parents, Sarah Ann is survived by her 5-year-old brother, Seth.
In her memory, WMU of Virginia has launched the Sarah Ann King Missions Fund, which will provide resources to respond to the catastrophic needs of children around the world.
Special to the Herald