Tributes

A Home Going Celebration Service for Mrs. Sarah Frances Jones Lipscomb will be held on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023, at 4:00 PM at her beloved Sunny Eve Baptist Church, Rev. Kenneth Gowens and Dr. Roland Brown officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 PM on Monday, September 4th at Miller Funeral Home in Oxford, Alabama. Sarah, known to most as “Skippy,” was born August 24th, 1937, in the old Southern Mill Village in Oxford, Alabama, to Rev. Russell and Leada Morrison Jones and remained a lifelong resident of Oxford. Sarah was a member of the OHS Class of 1955 and later attended Virginia Tech to study motion study efficiency, referred to today as mechanical engineering. Sarah married her high school sweetheart, beginning a 65-year love story that included more laughter than tears, more comfort than heartache, more success than failure, more joy than sorrow, and more blessings than can be numbered. She was a successful homemaker, devoted pastor’s wife, loving mother, and a pro at spoiling grandchildren. Her business career revolved around campaigning for better working conditions for textile workers and fair and just labor laws for all. She serviced textile workers at Imperial Reading Sewing, Anniston Sportswear, Vanity Fair in Albertville, Hagar Men’s Apparel, Russell Athletic, Guen, Alabama, and many facilities in West Virginia. She spent years traveling the state of Alabama and the South as a business agent for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. Sarah was the oldest member of Sunny Eve Baptist Church. Her grandfather and father helped establish the church in 1935 and then worked to have it constituted and accepted into the Baptist Association in 1936. She was a Christian, a preacher’s kid, a pastor’s wife, a choir leader, a Sunday School teacher for decades, and a true Bible scholar. Sarah loved spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed singing, attending services and concerts, art, music, sewing, puzzles, fishing, a good cup of hot tea, and dessert at any time of day! Out of all the hats and titles this marvelous, dainty, southern Lady wore, she cherished “Momma” and “Nana” the most. Sarah passed peacefully into her heavenly home, while in the loving arms of her three girls, and entered the presence of her Savior on Saturday, August 26th, 2023. This lovely, southern belle is survived by daughters Marilyn L. Clark and Momma Skippy’s “son-in-love” Stan of DeArmanville, Sharon “Suddie” Taylor (Jeff) of Oxford, and Deb Lipscomb (Vic) of Saks; sister Arlie “Faye” Jones Brown of Oxford; grandchildren Brent Taylor (Kim) of Oxford and Lynnley Clark Neal (Kevin) of Athens; great-grandchildren Logan Taylor (Kenzie), Lauren Taylor, JoAnna Clark Davis, and Aly Hearn; sister-in-law Shirley Faulkner Lipscomb; and twenty precious nieces and nephews, along with cousins, extended Families, and a Host of Chosen Children who lovingly referred to her as “Nana Skippy.” Sarah was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Rev. Bobby Ray Lipscomb, parents Rev. Russell and Leada Morrison Jones, sisters Corrine Jones and an infant sister, and grandchildren William Lloyd Clark and Rose Taylor. Pallbearers will be Jack Brown, Jim Brown, Rev. Ted Embry, Leo Eden, Charlie Harrell, Kevin Neal, and Logan Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Michael Hanna, Dorothy McKraken, Angie Johnson, and the caring staff at Enhabit Hospice. Sarah’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the excellent care, the devoted love, and the compassionate support afforded our Mother by her dear friend Dr. Michael Hanna and her dedicated caregivers Golden Bell, Jean Cunningham, Teresa Garrett, Vicky Hearn, Terry Hanner, Melisa Hunt, Amanda Jones, Tammy Jurich, Pam Payne, Emily Reaves, April Rich, Terry Scott, Roxie Teague, Tammy Waters, and Barry Wilks. Flowers will be accepted or memorials can be made in memory of Sarah Lipscomb to her favorite charity, the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home 1210 Friendship Road Oxford, Alabama 36203 Sarah was a woman of service. She made an impact in her church and surrounding community. The gym at DeArmanville Junior High School was a testament to how determined she could be if she believed something was needed to aid education and children. She modeled the love of I Corinthians 1:3 and the Woman of Proverbs 3:1. She served selflessly to make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ and to stand up for HIM at all times. Sarah modeled grace, dignity, and faithfulness in all things. Our hearts are heavy as we acknowledge the passing of our beloved Mother and mighty warrior in the faith, yet we have precious memories, hearts full of HOPE, and the peace of knowing where our Momma is. She has talked about this planned trip to her heavenly HOME with great expectations for a long time now, longing for all the sights, family, friends, and loved ones she planned to see. She made reservations for this adventure when she was a child. She told us a kind, loving, powerful Man paid her passage with his blood on a cross on Calvary. She said HE gave this Heavenly Gift to her for FREE! She said that HE loved everyone, and that HE purchased tickets for everyone to go. She sang HIS praises until her last breath. Her family all know the name of her Savior and LORD because she was the first one to tell us about Jesus. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD” -II Corinthians 5:8 Burial will be in the Sunny Eve Baptist Church Cemetery immediately following the service.

Tributes

Sarah "Skippy" Jones Lipscomb

August 24, 1937 - August 26, 2023