Sara Porterfield Eades

Sara Eades, 97, of Elkridge, Maryland, departed peacefully on September 16, 2024, at All View Retreat, in Columbia, Maryland.

Sara was born September 11, 1927, in Vicker Virginia, a township near Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Virginia, to Fannie Nalle and Harry B Porterfield, Sr. Sara was the fourth of six children and attended public elementary and high schools in Vicker and Christiansburg. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Radford College where she first studied nursing and later majored in education.

Sara was teaching second grade at Blacksburg Elementary School when she met James B. “JB” Eades. Through friends, they were matched on a blind date for a faculty dance at Virginia Tech. Though JB did not sweep her off her feet immediately, Sara thought he was a great dancer and soon they began seeing each other regularly. They married in 1951 on a very cold December day at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Christiansburg. JB reported for active Navy duty the following day. For the next few years, Sara, JB, and their beloved boxer, Misty, spent time in Newport, Rhode Island and San Diego, California when JB was not at sea defending WWII and Korean War efforts.

After five years of marriage, they had their first child, Leslie. Sara now ran the household and supported JB through faculty engagements while JB taught aerospace engineering at Virginia Tech and pursued his doctoral degree. JB maintained his military status in the Navy Reserves. A second daughter, Beverly Ann, was born in 1961 and a son, James Christian, was born in 1966 right before the family left Blacksburg for Silver Spring, Maryland. As Head of Aerospace Engineering, JB departed Virginia Tech for Goddard at a time when space exploration was a new frontier.

After moving to Maryland, Sara stayed busy coordinating after school activities and homework for their children. She also volunteered at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Silver Spring. Once their children were in high school and college, Sara took night classes and reconnected with her love for teaching through special education. She especially enjoyed her work as a para-professional at Frances Fuchs Special Center until she retired in 2000 at 73 years old. During this time, Sara had also discovered a passion for painting. For years, she painted favorite scenes and contemporary works of color, often gifting her artwork to friends.

Sara was a voracious reader and enjoyed non-fiction and fictional history. She followed baseball and football, especially the Nationals and Ravens. She liked to cook and entertain, and it was extra special when family gathered for holidays. Sara loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally and was a steadfast friend to many. She was a favorite aunt, maintaining family ties across generations. She is loved by family and friends for her kind and generous spirit, her loyalty, and her willingness to listen.

Sara is survived by her children: Leslie Eades of Dallas, Texas, and Chris Eades of Elkridge, Maryland, as well as her three grandchildren, Clifton McMahon, Valeria Zuniga, James “Jimmy" Eades, and Miriam Cebreros, mother of Valeria and Jimmy, of Ellicott City, Maryland, along with several nieces and nephews, and their children.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Beverly Eades, Jr.; her daughter, Beverly Ann Eades; her parents, Harry B. and Fannie Nalle Porterfield; her brothers, Harry Jr. and George Sr. Porterfield; and sisters, Frances “Penny” Walker, Nancy Oakey, and Peggy Porterfield.

Friends and family may meet for a Memorial Gathering on October 4, 2024 from 5:00pm-6:00pm at Candle Light Funeral Home, 1835 Frederick Road, Catonsville, Maryland 21228. A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00pm, presided over by Father Derek Miller of St. Peter’s Episcopal Parish in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Should you wish to honor Sara’s life, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an organization of your choice, or to Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center/Hopkins Hospital Foundation.