Sara Frances McCrackin Philyaw, 91, a life-time resident of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Sunday, April 3, 2016 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.
A Celebration of her Life service will be held at 11:30 am Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at Riverbend Baptist Church in Gainesville. Interment will be in Alta Vista Cemetery immediately following the service. The Reverend Bucky Kennedy will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at the funeral home.
Sara Philyaw was born September 18, 1924 to the late Molly Fleming McCrackin and Caleb Cale McCrackin in Gainesville, Georgia. Sara is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Terrell Audrey “Pop” Philyaw her son Terrell Clay Philyaw, her granddaughter Cindy Philyaw, and her daughter Mary Philyaw Hall.
She attended school in Gainesville and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1941.
She worked at the old Downey Hospital as a laboratory technician and an X-Ray technician until she married Terrell Audrey Philyaw in 1942.
Sarah was a member of Riverbend Baptist church throughout her adult life where she served as a Sunday School teacher. Sara had an exceptionally strong faith in God, which served her well during the perils of losing her son Terrell Clay Philyaw, her granddaughter Cindy Philyaw, and her daughter Mary Philyaw Hall all before her own passing. It was her belief in God that sustained her throughout her life.
She has been described by many, including THE GAINESVILLE TIMES, as a person “Who feels she needs even more things to do.” THE TIMES once said of Sara Philyaw that she “clearly was not a person to enjoy idleness, she finds her greatest rewards in constructive work.” Probably the nicest and the most apt description of Sara comes from a newspaper interview where it was said “…she has an easy contagious smile. When she laughs, you feel she never forgets just how lucky she is, because she has the enviable ability to separate the trivial from the important.” Her friends and family echo this wonderful description of this fine woman.
Cremel embroidery and crocheting were among her favorite hobbies making many colorful sweaters for friends and family. She loved searching through antique stores as her home reflects and she was a gardener who froze her own vegetables and loved making preserves.
Sara worked at keeping her family’s life simple and orderly. Sara once said that “Enjoying Lake Lanier, watching football games, and reading are the relaxations our family enjoys most.”
Sara was a genuine believer in “Family” and kept them all close through numerous fun family functions. She never missed an opportunity to spend time with all her children, grandchildren and Great-grandchildren. She also adored her little poodledog named “Honey.”
Sara is survived in life by her remaining son Richard “Dickie” Philyaw and his wife Teresa; Richard Philyaw’s son Sean, his wife Gretchen and two great-grandchildren Hudson and Asher. Richard Philyaw’s son Cale, his wife Alisha and two great grandchildren Molly and Lexie. She is survived by her grandson Chad Philyaw, his wife Yvette, and two great-grandchildren Cashen and Bennett, including her great-great granddaughter Rylee Mara. She is further survived by her grandson Zach Philyaw, his wife Miranda and great-grandchildren Bryson and Brayden. Other surviving family are her son-in-law Ferrell Hall, grandson Michael Hall, his wife Debra, and three great-granddaughters Nicole, Kathryn and Mikayla. Grandson Kris Hall and his daughter, great-granddaughter Mary Ann. Her daughter-in-law, Holly Philyaw Brannon and her husband Rich Brannon. Lastly she is survived by two nephews; Jerry Nix and his wife Christina and Ray Nix and his wife Poochie.
The family would like to extend their grateful appreciation to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Hospice Group.
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200 or for those who desire online condolences at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.
