Sarah Douglas

Sarah Amanda Phillips Douglas, 85, died December 25, 2009 in Erin, Tennessee. She was born March 29, 1924, in Ensley, Alabama, daughter of the late Alma Carmichael Phillips and the late Herbert Winston Phillips. A graduate of Fairfield High School (1939), Mrs. Douglas recieved a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama (1942) and a Bachelors of Music degree from Birmingham Southern College (1943). She did post-graduate work at juillard School of Music. After her marriage (1946) to Gilbert Fanklin Douglas, Jr. M.D., they lived two years in Boston before returning to Birmingham for the remainder of their 55 years of marriage.
Known to many as "Sally", Mrs. Douglas dedicated her life to her family, faith and community. Sally passed on her love of music to her children, her grandchildren, and hundreds of piano students. For decades she served as pianist for her church, Reformed Heritage Presbyterian Church (now Trinity Presbyterian Church), played for countless civic events, and performed with the Birmingham Piano Quartet. She was an active member of the Alabama Music Teacher's Association, Bush Hills Music Club, Caledonian Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Eagle Forum of Alabama, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, and Women's Committee of 100.
Mrs. Douglas was predeceased by her husband and her brother, Winston Monroe Phillips. Sally is survived by her sister, Dorothy Phillips Mauney (Miles); two sons, Gilbert F. Douglas,III (Cynthia) and Herbert W. Douglas(Tad); four daughters Elizabeth D. Martin(Daniel), Amanda D. Daily(Byron), Alma D. Gaudette(Peter), and Dorothy D. Taft(James). She is also survived by nineteen grandchildren; Paul Owings, Rachel O. Bahr(Greg), Wesley Douglas(Ruth), Gilbert Douglas IV(Stacy), Sarah Martin, Phillip Douglas, Douglas Owings, James Douglas(Georgianne), Grey Douglas, Robert Martin, Rosemary Douglas, Douglas Martin(Mary Beth) John Douglas, Daniel Douglas, Heather Martin, Samuel Douglas, Laura Douglas, Stephen Gaudette, and Andrew Gaudette; three great-grandchildren, Taylor Owing, James Douglas, Jr. and Bryson Douglas.
Visitation at John Ridout's Elmwood Chapel will be Monday, December 28, from 4:00-7:00pm. In lieu of of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a church or other charitable organization.
Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery Tuesday, December 29, at 10:00am.
A memorial service will be held at South Highland Prsbyterian Church on Tuesday, December 29, at 2:00pm. A time to greet family will follow. Visitation at Nave Funeral Home Erin, Tennessee will be Sunday December 27, 2009 from 3 PM to 7 PM, followed by a Memorial Service at 7 PM.