Sarah Pate Townsend
Former Scotia Village resident Sarah Pate Townsend has provided gifts through her estate totaling more than $55,000. An initial gift benefited the Foundation in 2004, and more recently, a final distribution with the termination of a charitable remainder trust. Both gifts are unrestricted for the benefit of Scotia Village.
Sarah was born in 1900 to Zebulon Vance Pate, better known as Z.V. Pate, and Sallie McNair Pate. Sarah was one of four children that were heirs to the well-established Z.V. Pate, Inc., or Z.V. Pate General Merchandise. Sarah’s father had purchased the original general store in Laurel Hill from his father-in-law John F. McNair the year Sarah was born.
Sarah, a graduate of Peace College, was widowed at a young age and raised two daughters through the Great Depression. Sarah established the charitable remainder trust to benefit her daughters and a few organizations that were close to her heart.
David Burns, Chairman of Z.V. Pate, Inc. Board of Directors, stated: “Mrs. Townsend cared deeply for her family, for the family corporation and for the community at large.” David is a resident of Scotia Village, a member of the Scotia Village Board of Trustees, a director on the board of The Presbyterian Homes Foundation, Inc. (dba Brightspire Foundation) and a prior member of The Presbyterian Homes, Inc. Board of Governors.
“We are deeply grateful for Mrs. Townsend and her extended family that have been so generous to Scotia Village over the years,” shares Allen Johnson, Executive Director of Scotia Village.
To learn more about making a lasting impact at The Presbyterian Homes Foundation, Inc. (dba Brightspire Foundation), please reach out to Marisa Ray at (336) 886-6553, Ext. 5118 or mray@brightspire.org.