May 27, 1932 – August 8, 2025
Sara Frances (Worthington) Nisbet, wife of the late pastor Carl Nisbet, went to be with her Lord on Friday, August 8, 2025, surrounded by loved ones in South Haven, Michigan, at the age of 93.
Born in Parksville, Kentucky, to Edward and Elizabeth “Bettie” Shannon Worthington on May 27, 1932, the twelfth of fourteen children. Sara lived a life grounded in her Christian faith and love. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher, and friend. She had a kind heart and gentle, caring spirit and would help anyone in need.
She was raised in Paris, Kentucky, and graduated from Bourbon County High School in 1950. She went to Anderson College in Indiana, where she married the love of her life, Carl Nisbet. They were married 64 years when Carl passed away in 2015. Together they shared a life rooted in faith. Carl’s calling to be a minister set the tone for the majority of her life in service to others. She was the epitome of a Christian woman who served her church and community as a Sunday School teacher, supporting her husband through years of home calls, hospital visits, weddings, and caring for their congregation.
They moved to Juneau, Alaska, in 1955 with a toddler and baby in her lap and all of their earthly belongings in the back of the car to pastor a church. In 1958, they moved to Wingate, Indiana, where Carl pastored a church and attended seminary. In 1962, they moved to Florida and lived on a prison campus, where he served as a chaplain. In 1966, she returned to college at Western Michigan University, where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education. Sara taught for 27 years at Central Elementary. In 1965, they moved to South Haven, Michigan, where Carl was assigned as the pastoral leader to Lacota United Methodist Church from 1980 to 2003. In retirement, she and Carl enjoyed wintering in Georgia and traveling to all 50 states and many other countries.
You can read Sara’s full obituary at https://www.starksfamilyfh.com/obituaries/sara-nisbet.
Her service was held Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Filbrandt Chapel, 1076 S. Bailey Ave, South Haven, Michigan 49090, Pastor Steve Starks officiating. Sara was laid to rest next to her husband Carl at Lakeview Cemetery. To those who choose to leave a memory or condolence, please visit: www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services.
Last Updated on September 15, 2025