Sarah McBryde Spital

Sarah Elizabeth McBryde Spital, 65, of Smithfield, passed away on Monday, July 19, 2021.  She was the daughter of the late Charles Marion McBryde and Lois Lane Harrington McBryde.  Mrs. Spital is survived by her husband of 40 years, Bruce Farrell Spital; daughters, Rebecca Lane Spital Gray (Jason) and Leah Broudy Spital Combs (Jon); grandchildren, Jaxton, Camden, Hatteras and Charlie; sisters, Martha Monroe (Doug), Frances Mann(Ed) and Jane Mann (Thomas).

Sarah earned a BA degree in Interior Design from UNC-Greensboro. She discovered her true calling after landing a teaching position at Windsor Middle School in Isle of Wight County, VA. She is also remembered for her short time at Hardy Elementary and her home summer art camps as she advocated the importance of the arts in our lives. Her love for teaching art also extended across the world. In 2002, she was honored with a Fulbright Scholarship to teach art in Japan. After her three weeks teaching art and imparting a bit of American culture overseas, she spent the following school year as an emissary incorporating her newly learned Japanese culture throughout her entire school. 

Sarah’s creativity and talent was endless and inspiring. She always had an ongoing passion project at hand. Depending on the season, she could be found creating Christmas ornaments out of family heirlooms, crafting themed birthday cakes and decor for her children and grandchildren, or designing intricate center pieces for annual fundraising galas with the Education Foundation for Isle of Wight County Public Schools. 

Sarah was a constant light in this world with an adventurous spirit and contagious smile. She had a passion for traveling, whether it was ziplining in Costa Rica, searching for elephants on a safari in South Africa, or simply walking down a shore line collecting shells.

We will miss our beloved Sarah!

At the request of Sarah, there will be no services held at this time.

In Lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Johns Hopkins University to support pancreatic cancer research.   www.pathology.jhu.edu/pancreas/donate

Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.