Sarah Hail Upton

Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah Hail Upton will be held at 11AM on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Kenneth Owens officiating. Burial will follow at Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Bailey. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mrs. Sarah Upton, age 92, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.

Sarah Alice Hail was born the only child of Thomas Richard Hail and Uhlma Alice Hail on May 30th, 1932, in Kemper County, Mississippi. A child of the Depression, Sarah's family managed to make ends meet by way of their rural General Store located in Kemper County. As a child, Sarah found a love for reading, and-throughout schooling-would excel in both grammar and literature, going on to Scooba Junior College at the age of 17. She would eventually fall in love with a young musician who became her husband, Ottis Upton. Together, Sarah and Ottis raised four girls who flourished to create strong legacies of their own.

Sarah, or "Mimi" as her grandchildren knew her, had a penchant for genealogy, spending a great deal of effort in documenting her family's history for future generations to pass on. She had a love for continuing stories with her children and grandchildren will be forever cherished. An avid reader, Sarah spent many afternoons at the Meridian Public Library-checking out multiple books at a time and returning the next day for a new set. Her family will always remember her love of flowers, native birds, sewing for her grandchildren, and a good game of solitaire. Perhaps most memorable to those who knew her will be the smile that would light up her face when she discussed her grand and great grandchildren.

Sarah is survived by her four daughters; Sondra Price (Tom), Elyse Thompson (Jim), Margaret Eddins (Franklin), and Sara Purvis; grandchildren, Rachel Flum (Josh), Tom Price (Kate), Emily Rea (John), Jamie Thompson, Brooke Lowry (Eli), Marla Donald (Sam), Elic Purvis (Alex), Anna Carole Purvis, and Wesley Purvis; great-grandchildren, Samantha Flum, Nate Flum, Ben Flum, Penny Price, Oliver Price, Graceley Thompson, Walker Rea, Brooklyn Lowry, Blake Lowry, Parker Eddins, Paisley Boyd, and Ledger Donald.

Mrs. Upton is preceded in death by her husband, Ottis Upton; parents, Tom and Uhlma Hail, and son-in-law, David Purvis.

Pallbearers will be Tom Price, Jamie Thompson, Elic Purvis, Wesley Purvis, Parker Eddins, and John Rea.

Online condolences may be expressed at Robertbarhamffh.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the College Park Methodist Church, where Mrs. Upton was a congregant.

The Upton family will receive guest from 10:00 until 10:45AM, prior to chapel services on Thursday.