Sarah Allen Phillips

Mrs. Sarah Jo Allen Phillips, 85, went to be with her Lord Sunday, September 26, 2021. She was born in Cabarrus County December 24, 1935, to the late William A. and Navada “Dink” Wood Allen. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Emory Phillips, and a sister, Elaine Allen Cohen, of Concord. Consistent with Sarah’s expressed wishes no services are being held. Sarah is survived by several nieces and nephews along with their families, including: Crystal JackLynn Cohen Connor and husband, Kelly, of Salisbury; Brenda Gorsuch and husband Jeffery, of Mills River; Barbara Walker, of Hendersonville; Lou Anne O'Hara and husband Patrick, of Sequim, WA; Phillip Walker and wife Patricia, of Olive Branch, MS; and Eric Bond and wife Zulema, of Cooper City, FL. Sarah is also survived by her sister-in-law Evelyn Bond and husband Scott, of Etowah. Sarah, a “small but mighty” woman, resided many years of her adult life in the Mount Pleasant community. Sarah graduated from Concord High School in 1954. Following high school, she attended Mars Hill College where she met her future husband and love of her life Arthur Emory Phillips. Sarah furthered her education graduating from Appalachian State Teachers College and ultimately obtained her master’s degree at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Sarah was a dedicated educator for four decades, influencing and teaching elementary school children in the area. During her career Sarah taught students in the Mecklenburg County, Concord City, and Cabarrus County school systems. Sarah retired from teaching in 1998. Frequently Sarah’s students, now adults, would recognize Sarah as she visited local businesses and remind her of fond memories they had of being in her class as a child. Sarah had many interests outside of work during her lifetime. She loved books and was an avid reader her entire life, a passion she picked up from her mother. Sarah and her husband also enjoyed gardening and maintaining a beautiful landscape at their Mount Pleasant home. For many years they were quick to share white sweet potatoes and other produce they had grown with family members and neighbors. Their yard was a source of great pride looking beautiful every season of the year. Sarah also took up golfing with her husband prior to his death. Later in life she took great pleasure in obtaining and displaying collectible figurines. Both Sarah and her husband loved animals and owned several dogs and cats that they considered family over the course of their lifetimes. Sarah’s last cat, Harvest, was a supportive companion to Sarah for many years following the death of her husband. Sarah especially delighted in taking care of any of “God’s creatures.” She was known by many of her neighbors as the “Cat Lady” as she frequently fed, sheltered and cared for stray cats in the neighborhood. Sarah considered caring for animals one of her God-given purposes in life. Family and friends desiring to honor Sarah’s memory may do so by making memorial donations to the Humane Society of Concord and Greater Cabarrus County at PO Box 5347, Concord, NC 28027.