Sarah Donaldson

Sarah Donaldson was born December 30, 1936, in South Philadelphia to Pastor Alice Rouse and James Andrew Donaldson. Sarah was the sixth child out of nine children born to Alice and James. She was the last surviving sibling. Sarah was educated in the Philadelphia public school system where she attended several schools but graduated from Audenried middle school and went onto South Philadelphia High School. 

 In 1952, Sarah gave birth to a beautiful baby girl weighing 7lbs, Shelley Marie Donaldson (proceeded in death November 22, 2011). In 1955 she gave birth to a handsome son, named Spencer Alfred Donaldson weighing 6lbs and 11 oz.  Her children were the light of her life.  She did all she could to protect them and raise them up right. Sarah loved her children dearly.

As a teenager she worked as a waitress in various restaurants, which she liked to do for many years.  She also worked at York Town Nursing Home taking care of the elderly for ten years. Once she left the nursing home, Sarah became a supervisor at the American Greeting Card Association going store to store putting up displays and different cards that you purchase today. She was employed there for 11 years until she got hurt on the job and had to retire.

Sarah loved to have parties, entertain her family and friends throughout the year, loved to cook, laugh, and enjoy herself.  She helped raise 7 grandchildren alongside her daughter.

In 1991, Sarah got married to Ronald Vaughn at New Redeem Apostolic Church located 5001 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia., Pa. 19144.  Ronald led Sarah to New Redeem and in that same year she gave her life to Christ.  Sarah was baptized under the former Pastor; Rev. Dr. Linwood Riley where she became a member.  Sarah was the Secretary of the church as well as the President of the Pastor Aide committee for 15 years. She served alongside, Pastor Riley and was a faithful member. She would often feed the homeless, sell dinners and pray for the community.

Sarah became a foster parent in 1993, where she opened her home to a beautiful baby girl named Cyann Morales and adopted her on October 6, 2000. Cyann took on the last name Donaldson.  Cyann was a joy and a happy child.   

In 2003, Sarah went to the Jameson Bible School of Ministry and Theology for three years. She graduated in 2006 with a degree in Theological Studies.  After attending Jameson Bible School of Ministry and Theology, Sarah became an ordained Evangelist.  Evangelist Sarah did missionary work and preached every year in Virginia for five years.  She would sometimes attend Golden Star Baptist Church with her granddaughter Kytra. She attended several events at Golden Star Baptist Church because she enjoyed the preaching of Pastor Drinks.  

Evangelist Sarah’s health started to fail, and she could not make it to church, but she kept believing in God and in the power of healing.  Evangelist Sarah would often talk to her Pastor Apostle Young of New Redeem Apostolic Church on the phone for encouragement and prayer.

Evangelist Sarah leaves to mourn her son Spencer, daughter Cyann, seven grandchildren: Dana, Kytra, Ofa, Michael (Monica), Shadiea, Alechia (Moosh), Nifessia, and a host of great and great-great grandchildren. Special thanks and love to the Dilworth family; Kelly, Kirk,

Joey (Habeebah), Phoebe, Sarah (Antwine), her best girlfriend Overseer Sally Wilkins, her caring neighbors Anita & Larry, and a host of family and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sarah Donaldson, please visit our floral store.