Sarah Ann (Ling) Nelson

SALEM, Ohio – Sarah Ann (Ling) Nelson, a devoted mother, grandmother, community mentor, and unwavering woman of faith, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio, surrounded by her loving family.

A longtime resident of New Garden Avenue in Salem, Sarah made her house a true sanctuary — a place where faith was the foundation, community service was a responsibility, and family was always the central focus. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 16, 1954, she brought a spirit of warmth, resilient love, and gentle grace to Ohio, touching everyone she met.

Sarah was a steadfast Christian whose life was a testament to the power of prayer and the grace of God. She was deeply tied to the foundational values of the Bible Methodist church community, dedicating herself to higher pillars of faith and service. She modeled the love of Christ daily through her immense generosity, her kind spirit, humor, and her dedication to local ministry through her church.

Her love for the youth of Salem shone brightly through her years of active community involvement. Sarah poured her heart into the local youth sports programs, serving as a passionate soccer coach alongside her late husband. She believed in building confidence, teamwork, and joy in every child she mentored. This same spirit of radical inclusion led her to be a fierce, compassionate advocate and volunteer for the Special Olympics, where she dedicated her time to celebrating the achievements, strength, and joy of her dear niece, Rachel.

She also found great delight in the magic of storytelling and imagination, holding a special place in her heart for all things Disney. Just as she loved those classic tales of “happily ever afters,” she believed deeply in the ultimate, eternal home promised by her Savior.

Sarah is now reunited with the love of her life, her husband of 36 years, Dwight L. Nelson Sr., who passed away in 2014, and her beloved son, Adam Wayne Nelson, who passed away in 2023. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Doris “DJ” Dennison.

Her legacy of fierce love and devotion lives on through her surviving children: Dwight Nelson Jr. (Vonnie) of Champion, Nick Nelson (Dr. Gjergj Haxhiu, MDY) of Salem, Shannon Nelson-Bell (Henry Mroczkowski) of Salem. She was the proud, adoring grandmother to Natalia, Chloe, Alexander, Islandora, and Ares, who brought immeasurable light and happiness to her life.

Family and friends may call from 5:30 to 8 p.m. today, Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Stark Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Salem, Ohio.

A Service of Celebration of Life will be held at the Salem Bible Methodist Church on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 11 a.m.

To honor Sarah’s confident hope in heaven, her family shares this scripture that she held dear:

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” — John 14:1-2

Arrangements are being handled with care by Stark Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you perform an act of kindness for a neighbor and make a donation to the Salem Bible Methodist Church for their children’s ministries.

6/18/26