Cherokee’s Sarratt Jr.: The Influence of a Compound Community
The Sarratt name in Cherokee County, specifically in Gaffney, is a significant one. From Sarratt’s Creek to the marker where the Sarratt House, a historic Queen Anne home of a prominent local merchant, once stood, the town is filled with references to one of three variations of the name. Cherokee County School District Board Vice Chair and District 2 Representative Johnny Sarratt Jr. inherited his name from his father.
“My father is a very demanding and detail-oriented man,” Sarratt said. “Many of the things he’s said to me over the years have stuck in my mind. We still talk three to four times a week.”
With 30 years of work at Winn-Dixie and 17 years of service to Cherokee County School District, Johnny Sr. had much to offer his son, including the Giving Back Organization (GBO), a nonprofit he founded in 1995.
His immediate and extended family also were sources of community for Johnny Jr.
“My dad’s family owned almost 100 acres of land, and that’s where our house was located,” he said. “So, my grandparents were very close to me, and I spent a lot of time with them. Also, many of my aunts, uncles and cousins.”
As for his service on the school board, his predecessor, Willie Crosby, approached him about running. Crosby had represented District 2 on the board for 16 years. Now in his 14th year of service, Johnny Jr. plans to hang up his hat when his term ends in 2028.
“If you’re still there, then God has you in that position for a reason,” Sarratt said.
And if he didn’t have enough mentors and people who saw his potential, there was Rev. Dr. Michael Bridges, who taught him the ways of God and ultimately led him to the pastorate through another pastoral acquaintance.
“They are a very loving and praying congregation, who keeps their faith in the Lord,” he said.
When it came to encouragement, Sarratt Jr. credits his mother.
“My mother was strict, but also nurturing,” he said. “I thank God for the parents he blessed me to have.”
Though he credits many people with shaping him into the man he is today, he gives God the honor. His mantra can best be described by one of his recent sermon titles, “Holding It Together, While Falling Apart.”
“Many people have so much turmoil going on in their life,” Sarratt said. “They’re dealing with health issues, financial problems, home, work … to where they are falling apart, but also holding it together by the grace of God.”
The students of Cherokee County School District benefit from his service on the board in various ways. The most profound include the building of the new Center for Advanced Technical Studies (CATS), one-to-one computing for each student and block scheduling at the high schools.
“The one-to-one has probably been the most impactful to the students and staff, so that would be the most meaningful to me,” Sarratt said.
He and his wife, Kendra, have served their community and congregation for quite some time. He has served on the board since his children were 7 and 1. The youngest is now in high school.
“We’ve made many sacrifices over the years, but they have been the driving force behind what I do,” Sarratt said. “I’m going to cherish the next few years because time is one thing we can’t get back.”
As a district, Sarratt said he would like to see continued improvement in all areas, especially academically.
Fellow board members describe Sarratt Jr. as someone who gives anonymously, serves without fanfare and can frequently be found supporting important activities within the schools.