Sara Elizabeth Proffitt Sheffey, age 89, of Newport, born April 25, 1920, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2009.

She taught hundreds of students in the 4th grade at Newport Grammar School until her retirement in 1982.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Sheffey.

She was born in Sevier County to the late Joe and Inda Fox Proffitt.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Nan and Harold Smith, of Newport; son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Teresa Sheffey, of Canton, Ga.; grandchildren, Larry Smith and wife Chrissy, Keith Smith and A. J. Sheffey; great-grandchildren, Jeff Butler, Caden Smith and Blade Smith; one sister, Hazel Ownby, of Knoxville; and other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 5, 2009, in Manes Funeral Home West Chapel, with the Rev. Rick Spell officiating.

Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Monday in Union Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Manes Funeral Home prior to the funeral services.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 212 Washington Avenue, Newport, TN 37821.

Family and friends may sign the guest register online at www.manesfuneralhome.com.

 Manes Funeral Home in charge.