Sara Jane Anderson

Sara Jane Anderson, 76, died September 1, 2015 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. She was born April 26, 1939 in Forsyth Co. to the late Jack N. Anderson and Vivian Westmoreland Anderson. Our mother, Sara, was a collector of people, not things. She made her own dresses, sometimes from fine silk given to her after an aunt's travels, but most often from cotton found on the discount table. She wore necklaces that were made by her daughter, Beth and she proudly displayed all art, verse or other found objects that were gifted to her from any of her children. She grew her own flowers and shared them with anyone that would ask. Sara appreciated all of her gifts that her family and friends would give her, but would almost always eventually give them away to someone who needed/wanted it more. In this act she found her greatest joy in receiving a gift, the ability to give it to another. When visiting her home you knew that a formal living room did not exist and everyone would sit around the kitchen table to enjoy conversation and coffee, sometimes late or into the early morning hours. Many nights we fell asleep to mom and her sisters, Iris and Faith, enjoying a visit. She taught many students the piano and most took away musical talent, while all gained life skills and lessons on how to be a kind and compassionate human. For more than 60 years, she played the piano at Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she shared some of the most important relationships of her life. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her ex-husband; Thomas Edward Newsome; a brother, John Anderson; her three sons, Thomas David Newsome, Michael Patrick Newsome and Jonathan Paul Newsome. She comes from a large family and that makes it hard to list all of the loved ones that have gone before. She is survived by her daughter; Beth Newsome, son-n-law; David McKnight and granddaughter; Sophie Anderson McKnight all of Durham, NC; daughter, Carol Newsome of Greensboro, NC; adopted Sons; Richard ""Dick"" Stephens of Greensboro, NC and Rodney Davis of Winston-Salem, NC and adopted granddaughter, Sarah Wagoner Mitchell who along with her husband provided Sara with her great-grandson, Bryson, all of Rural Hall, NC. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and other adopted children that will be acknowledged in person. Last but not least, Sara is survived by her many cats and the Andy dog. We wish that we could mention by name all of her children and friends, but that would take too long and we would be late for the Celebration of her life that will occur on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rural Hall, NC. Family and friends will gather in the assembly room after the service to share our stories and love of Sara. We would like to thank everyone with Hospice of the Triad and Hayworth-Miller for their kind and respectful care. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church, 460 Bethania-Rural Hall Rd., Rural Hall, NC 27045, Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 101 Hospice Ln., Winston-Salem, NC 27103, The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104 or you may honor her memory by giving of your time to an organization of your choice, and Go Forth in Peace.

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