Sarah DeYoung

Sarah DeYoung, age 69, of Maryville, TN, passed away on April 30, 2021. She was a devoted wife, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend. Sarah was born in Jackson, Mississippi, where she was the youngest of three children. At Jackson’s Murrah High School, she was very involved in their literary magazine called “The Pleiades.” Upon high school graduation, Sarah attended Maryville College and had the honor of being selected co-chair of the All College Council which she co-chaired with the college president. Sarah graduated from Maryville with a bachelor’s degree in English. She received her master’s degree in Educational Administration from The University of Tennessee. Her career positions included Admissions Counselor and Financial Aide Counselor at Maryville College and Financial Aide Director and Director of Academic Advising for the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences at The University of Tennessee. While an undergraduate at Maryville College, Sarah met and later married Hardy DeYoung who became her lifelong partner. Together they had many adventures traveling throughout the world and hosting gatherings for family and friends. Besides her own nieces, nephews, and “greats,” Sarah was known as “Aunt Sarah” to many of the children of their friends. As a member of New Providence Presbyterian Church, she served on the Session and worked with many community mission projects. Sarah had a keen love of nature and the environment; she was an avid bird watcher, loved wildflowers, and supported wildlife causes. She rooted for UT teams and was a true champion of The Lady Vols. Sarah led an active life of adventure, learning, and service. Sarah was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth White Winbigler and father, John Sutherland Winbigler. Survivors include her husband, Hardy of Maryville; sister, Susan (husband John) of Atlanta, GA; brother, John of Knoxville; sister-in-law, Ellie (husband Joe) of Southport, NC; sister-in-law, Marti of Maryville; many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews; and a large and close group of friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on June 19 at New Providence Presbyterian Church in Maryville, TN. The church requests that all who plan to attend adhere to social distancing guidelines, register their attendance in advance at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfE8Eg_DVcCCufEna7lJfv2EFSj4sRjpVE9WOXc-3V7gUopWw/viewform and wear a facial covering to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Appalachian Bear Rescue, PO Box 364, Townsend, TN 37882 or to New Providence Presbyterian Church for the Welcome Table ministry, 703 W Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN 37801. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Sarah DeYoung please visit our Sympathy Store.