Around 8:00 am on Wednesday, April 22, 2015; a reunion in heaven took place as Sarah Marie “Shirley” Hunsinger Osteen left her earthly home and set foot on streets of gold as she was greeted by family and friends and entered into the gates of pearl.
Sarah Osteen, 85, was a resident of Transylvania county, having lived in Henderson County for the past ten years. She was the daughter of the late Zeb Ray Hunsinger and Gertie Roberts Hunsinger. A dedicated wife and supporter of her late husband, the Rev. Fred L. Osteen Sr., and his ministry of preaching and singing the gospel all through their 55 years of marriage. She was preceded in death by four brothers: Earl Hughes McIntyre, David Everett Huntsinger, Grover Herschel Huntsinger and Rex Huntsinger. and six sisters: Exie Lee Huntsinger Boyd, Mildred Edna Huntsinger McCarson, Oretta Kate Huntsinger, Mary Elsie Huntsinger Grindingstaff, Eloise Huntsinger and Minnie Lucille Huntsinger Entwistle.
She was a dedicated employee of The Ecusta Paper Mill; where she worked for 37 years until her retirement in 1993. She was an amazing and loving mother to her two children; the late Fred Lee “Freddie” Osteen Jr. of Hendersonville and Margie Lynn Osteen Marshall who was caregiver to Sarah in the home for the last 10 years of her life while she battled Alzheimer’s and dementia. She loved her church and was an active member of Spirit and Life Fellowship in Mountain Home, NC. She can be remembered singing and praising GOD in services as late as this past Easter Sunday. She was a very passionate and driven lady who thought the world of and loved her husband with all her heart as well as her children and grandchildren. She was always a light to others and a provider to many. She is survived in death by her daughter: Margie Lynn Osteen Marshall and husband, Rev. Dr. Randall J. Marshall of the home. Two brothers: Robell Hunsinger and wife Janice of Fletcher NC; and Melvin “Oz” McCarson of Hendersonville. Two sisters: Audrey Johnson and June Grumbles; both of Hendersonville, NC and her two, truly beloved grandsons: Blake Anthony Ellege of the home and Aaran Lee Osteen of Hendersonville, NC; as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family requests the internment to be private. A memorial celebration of her life is planned for Saturday, May 2nd at 11am at Calvary Baptist Church, 133 Osborne Road, Brevard, NC 28712, with the Reverends Gary Stephens, Danny Eubanks, Patrick Ballard and Rev. Dr. Randy Marshall officiating.
All family and friends are invited to bring a covered dish for a time of fellowship immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall. (doors open at 10:00 a.m.)
In lieu of flowers; please make all memorial contributtons to:
Spirit and Life Fellowship
170 Oakdale Road
Brevard NC 28712.