Sarah Salley, cared for others' well-being

LISA SALLEY remembers how her mother gave her a jump start on reading by using the backs of cereal boxes before she started kindergarten.

All of the three children of Sarah Clementine Johnson Salley have fond memories of how their mother was devoted to their care and well-being.

She learned to drive at the age of 33 just so she could drive her son, Frank, to his basketball games.

The youngest, Patricia, remembers her mother's companionship during childhood tea parties, girls' weekends while in high school and her loving support of other youthful activities.

Her brothers and sister recall her as a peacemaker, a good listener and a person who made the best of all situations.

Sarah, a retired civilian administrator at the 35th Police District, an active churchwoman and devoted mother and grandmother whose potato salad was a much-sought-after family legend, died Saturday of complications of diabetes. She was 66 and lived in West Oak Lane.

She was born in Philadelphia to Curtis J. Johnson and the former Louella McNeill. She graduated from William Penn High School.

In 1963, she married her childhood sweetheart, Franklin B. Salley, who became a Philadelphia police lieutenant. They met at Harrison Elementary School.

After high school, she worked for the Department of Defense supply centers in administrative roles, but became a stay-at-home mom after her children were born.

When Patricia, her youngest, completed junior high school, she returned to the work force. She worked at the Northwest Center, a health facility in Mount Airy, then went to the 35th District, Broad Street and Champlost Avenue, Fern Rock. She retired in 2001.

"She gave selfless love to all who knew her," her family said. "She was a peaceful, giving, nonjudgmental spirit, who was best known for her organizational and 'cheerleading' skills.

"Her extended family loved 'Aunt Clem's' potato salad. In fact, her potato salad was a dish that four generations sought at all family gatherings, including a recent family reunion."

Over the past few years, Sarah struggled with both diabetes and glaucoma, but her family said, "In spite of her own medical challenges, she never complained or missed a beat with serving others."

Her grandchildren, who called her "Mom-Mom," could always count on a smiling face and encouragement with homework, at graduations, basketball games, recitals, whatever.

She devoted the last five years caring for her husband, who suffers from dementia.

Sarah also is survived by two brothers, Robert and Harold Johnson; a sister, Mary McKelvey, and six grandchildren. She was predeceased by three brothers, Walter W., Ollie L. and Clarence Johnson, and a sister, Arthene "Bae" Johnson.

Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, 230 W. Coulter St. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Chelten Hills Cemetery, Washington Lane and Woolston Avenue. *