Sarah Ellen Sponenberg

Sarah Avent Sponenberg passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, October 5,2025 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 9, 1948 to Benjamin R Avent, Jr and Ellen B Avent in Sanford, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Benjamin R Avent, III. Sarah is survived by her husband of 55 years, James E Sponenberg, III; her two daughters, Malen Braswell (Mark) and Maryanne A Sponenberg; her two granddaughters, Abigail Braswell and Caroline Braswell; her sister in law, Holly Quinn Avent; her nieces, Traci Mims, Ashlie Liss and Whitney Stover and her nephews, Benjamin R Avent, III and Lee Sponenberg. Sarah was a retired school teacher having taught at Ayden Grifton High School in Pitt County, Kerr Vance Academy in Vance County and Kings Creek School and William Lenoir Middle School in Caldwell County. She graduated from Sanford Senior High School, received a Bachelor of Arts from Greensboro College, a Masters of Arts from Appalachian State University and earned the designation as a National Board Certified Teacher. She was most especially proud of the academic achievements of her students and thoroughly enjoyed meeting a former student in the community and being told how much she was loved and that she was a great teacher and had a significantly positive influence on their lives. Faith, family and friends were three of the most important parts of her life. She loved her Lord and her Church. She lived her life in harmony with Christ’s instructions to love God with all her heart and soul and love her fellow man. She loved and was loved by her family. Her devotion to friends was constant, willingly given and forever enjoyed. Of course, her circle of friends included her furry feline friends as well. Sarah was never without her cat. She loved God’s creation and wanted it to the best it could be. Sarah reflected the meaning of this famous American quote; “Some men see things as they are and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not”. She wanted us to live in a better world and worked to make it happen.

An internment service is planned for the family at 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 11, 2025 in Sanford at Lee Memory Gardens. A Celebration of Life Service is planned for Saturday 11:00 AM, November 1, 2025 at Lenoir First United Methodist Church with reception and fellowship afterwards in the Christian Life Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to AMOREM, 902 Kirkwood St NW, Lenoir, NC 28645; The Education Foundation of Caldwell County, 1914 Hickory Blvd., Lenoir, NC 28645; or First United Methodist Church , 309 Church St NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfuneralservice.com

Evans Funeral Service is honored to serve the Sponenberg family.