Obituary for Sarah Watkins McCall

Sarah was born on March 28, 1952, in Nashville, TN, to Cabell and Evelyn Watkins. She was an only child and prized treasure to her parents. By the age of 15, both her mother and father passed away, but Sarah knew God had a larger plan for her life and trusted Him to guide her steps. She attended Ben Lippen School in Asheville, NC, her junior and senior year. After graduation, she attended Columbia Bible College in Columbia, SC, where she met Joel McCall in the college bookstore on the first day of school. They married July 15, 1972, following her sophomore year. They lived in Beaver Falls, PA while working for two years for a campus ministry. They moved to Philadelphia, where she worked to support Joel while he attended Westminster Theological Seminary. Sarah and Joel moved to Israel for over a year while Joel continued graduate studies and Sarah wrote for Dr. Carl Rasmussen. They became parents to Rebecca (McCall) Setzer and moved to Florida. After ministry in Southern California, they moved to Elverson, PA, to plant a church, and both Nathan William McCall and Zachary Cabell McCall were born.

Joel and Sarah served in churches in Rock Hill, SC, and Denver, NC, for many years before joining the staff of Equipping Leaders International and moving to Lenoir City, TN, where Joel is on staff at Christ Covenant Church.
Sarah was a devoted mother and Marmee to the grandchildren, gifting them with abundant love and a Godly example. She poured into their lives, teaching them how to love and serve others as a reflection of love for the Savior. She was the greatest cheerleader in each child’s endeavors. She loved to sew and create, often sewing costumes, dresses, doll clothes, or personalized gifts. Sarah encouraged her children and grandchildren with Scripture and prayed daily for all of them. She taught them to have a love of nature by going on bear hunts in Cades Cove, playing in mountain creeks, family camping trips, watching the birds come to the feeders, growing things in the yard, or having a picnic in a beautiful park.

Sarah was also a faithful friend. She invested in the lives of others, listening and praying for them. Often described as the “fun” friend, it wasn’t unusual for her to take off on an adventure with someone dear, exploring back roads and new places just to “see where it went!” She loved sharing meals with others or a competitive card game and excelled in hospitality. She was the best gift-giver and always seemed to know exactly what each friend would enjoy. Sarah was also an encourager, making time to send a thoughtful card in the mail or a text to let you know you were on her mind and in her prayers. She was so good at seeking others out to keep the bonds of friendship strong.

In ministry, Sarah served during mission work in countries including Romania, Israel, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ireland, Belize, and Peru. She had a real passion for reaching others with the good news of the Gospel. At home, she faithfully served on several ministry teams, including missions, women, and children. She led Bible studies and discipled many women in her lifetime.

Through her short battle with cancer, Sarah remained faithful to the Lord, praising Him through her suffering. Sarah is survived by her husband, Dr. W. Joel McCall; her daughter, Rebecca McCall Setzer and husband Jason Setzer; her son, Rev. Nathan William McCall and wife, Ruth Greenfield McCall; and son, Zachary Cabell McCall and wife Jennifer Cabael McCall; grandchildren, Josiah Setzer, Isaiah Setzer, Adah McCall, Jonah McCall, and Merrimac McCall.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Christ Covenant PCA in Knoxville, TN, on July 24, 2026. Receiving of friends will begin at 5:00 P.M with the service immediately following at 6:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Equipping Leaders International (https://equipleaders.org/) in Sarah’s honor.