Sarah Jane Otto

Sarah Jane Otto, went to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the age of 80.  She passed away peacefully in her home in Corpus Christi, TX surrounded by her family and her friend, Janie Rubio.  She was born at home on May 12, 1943, in Wills Point, TX to her parents, Hugh Irving Kent and Cora Pearl Mhoon Kent. She grew up in the Alsa Community just north of Wills Point, where she attended grade school. The family moved to Terrell, TX where Sarah attended Junior High and High School.  

A Memorial Service will be held on December 2, 2023, at 11 AM at the Weber Road Church of Christ, 5253 Weber Road, Corpus Christi, TX, providing an opportunity for those who knew and loved Sarah to come together and pay their respects.  There will be a visitation before the service from 10:00-10:45 AM.

Sarah met Alfred Hallman Otto in Dallas, TX where they later married at White Rock Lake.  The couple resided in Terrell, TX for several years and relocated to Stephenville, TX in 1976.  Al was an independent milk distributor for Borden Dairy and Sarah helped him with his business.  They had a great life together raising the girls, Pamela, Kimberly, and Charlene.  She was a devoted wife to her husband Al, lovingly caring for him throughout their marriage until he lost his battle with cancer in 1989. 

Sarah had numerous jobs throughout her life beginning at age 13 painting a house in Big Springs, TX, followed by working at Dairy Queen in Terrell, TX.  In Dallas, TX, she worked at Home Furniture Company and in the Psychiatric Ward at the Parkland Hospital. She owned and operated D&D Grocery Store in Terrell, TX.  After moving to Stephenville, TX, she worked as a switchboard operator at United Telephone Company, owned Otto’s Crafts & Gifts, worked in the cafeteria at the Junior High School, and worked at Norton Abrasives Company. She provided 24-hour care to Alzheimer’s patients through her company, Angel Wings and concluded her working career as a nursing home activities director, providing care and support to others until she had to retire due to her health. 

Sarah's faith was an important part of her life, and she was a dedicated member of the Weber Church of Christ in Corpus Christi, TX. Sarah loved and served the Lord wholeheartedly.  When she was able bodied, she was always at church volunteering wherever help was needed even though it wasn’t always easy for her to do so.  She worked in the food pantry at church for years.  She continuously encouraged others by sending uplifting cards filled with love and prayers, until the loss of her eyesight. She had a strong faith and said that the Lord was by her side always.  Her strength, love and faith has left a beautiful legacy in which we find peace and comfort. 

Over the years she had a passion for gardening, crafts, drawing and traveling.  In her later years, you would find her most days sitting in her recliner watching Hallmark movies, figure skating or one of her many favorite shows.  She waved at everyone who passed by her window as she sat watching the birds and squirrels playing in the birdbath.  Sarah found immense joy in spending time with her family and, in her later years, cherished keeping up with friends and her loved ones on Facebook.  Her greatest joy was her family.  She said that her family was the light of her life but really, she was the light in all of ours. She was the best mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was dearly loved by her family and will be greatly missed.

Sarah Jane Otto is preceded in death by her parents, Hugh Irving Kent and Cora Pearl Kent; her brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy Don Kent and Lizabeth “Bette” Kent; her sister and brother-in-law, Patsy Ruth Adams and James Gordon Adams; her beloved husband, Alfred Hallman Otto; her sweet daughter, Kimberly Ann Arellano; her grandchildren, Audriana Antoinette Arellano and Dylan Wayne McMillan.

She is survived by her brother, H.L. Kent of Mart, TX; sister-in-law, Carole Kent of Johnson City, TN; children, Pamela McMillan (Brent) of Nogal, NM and Charlene Hooten (Russell) of Corpus Christi, TX; son-in-law, Raul Arellano of Stephenville, TX; grandchildren, Michael Ratliff (Katie) of New Braunfels, TX, Sarah Fox (Chris) of Desdemona, TX, Staci Arellano of Stephenville, TX, Alicia Arellano (fiancé Kasey Reynolds) of Stephenville, TX, Kaitlyn McMillan of Round Rock, TX, Ashley Hooten (fiancé Joseph Graham) of Omaha, NE and Grace Hooten of Dallas, TX; great grandchildren, Macey Verner of Lubbock, TX, Paige Verner of Nacogdoches, TX, Hunter Verner of San Augustine, TX, Braydn Ratliff of Pleasanton, TX, Jocelyn Verner of San Augustine, TX, Bryson Kent Donahey of Flushing, MI, Kedzie Campbell of New Braunfels, TX and Brynn Campbell of New Braunfels, TX and many nieces and nephews.

The family expresses thanks to her church family at Weber Road Church of Christ, Serenity & Grace Hospice (Crystal, Andrea, & Jerry), her caregiver, Miranda Merz and especially her longtime friend and caregiver, Janie Rubio who provided round the clock care for her until the end. 

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