Born on March 2, 1926, to Charles and Eunice Aycock, Sarah embodied the grace, strength, and warmth of a true Southern lady. Her life was a blessing to all who knew her – rich in love, full of wisdom, and guided by faith.

Sarah graduated from Rayville High School in 1941, and went on to earn her degree from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 1947, where her love of language and learning took root. She devoted her professional life to education, teaching high school Spanish and English at both Rayville High School and Riverfield Academy. To hundreds of students, she was far more than a teacher – she was a mentor, cheerleader, an inspiration, passionate not only about her subjects, but more so about the success and well-being of her students.

On August 8, 1948, Sarah married the love of her life, Dallas Thomason. Their 64 years of marriage were a shining example of faithfulness and partnership until his passing in 2012. Together, they built a home full of laughter, hospitality and enduring love.

She delighted in time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who knew her affectionately as “Mamaw.” Whether she was reading a Dr. Seuss book, swapping stories on the couch, or baiting a hook on a sunny afternoon, she treasured those moments with her little ones. Her legacy is written in the smiles, stories, and hearts of those grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved her dearly.

Sarah had a poet’s heart, a teacher’s mind, and a farmer’s hands. She had a deep affection for animals of all kinds – raising a calf named Baby Doll on a bottle, giving a home to numerous stray cats, and caring for a scrappy dog named “Takeup”. She always kept a faithful house dog nearby, including beloved companions Big Man, Miss T, Blue, Suki and Digger.

Sarah was a woman of strength, spirit and steady love. She walked through life with purpose, generosity and grace, leaving behind a legacy that will echo through generations.

Her faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life. A devoted member of First Baptist Church of Rayville, she served faithfully in various ministries and cherished the bonds of her church family.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dallas, and her brother, Sellers Aycock.

She is survived by her sister, Claire Brown, and by her three sons and their wives, who she loved as daughters, David Dallas and Brenda Thomason, Charles Floyd and Peggy Thomason, and Lasley Downes and LeAnn Thomason.

Her life and love live on through her grandchildren and their families - Ben and Jennifer Thomason and their children, Addie and EJ of Durham, North Carolina, Nicole and Ben Kilman and their children, Ava, Will and Cole of Tupelo, Mississippi, Dallas and Randy Holder of Yazoo City, Mississippi, Victoria Thomason of Denver, Colorado, Lee and Nikki Thomason and their children, Ali and Tripp of Start, Sarah Jo and Andrew Brun and their son, David of Haughton.

A service to celebrate her life was held at First Baptist Church of Rayville on Monday, August 4, 2025. A visitation was held at 9:30 a.m. with the funeral service following at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choosing, in honor of Sarah’s heart for learning and love.

Serving as pallbearers were Lee Thomason, Andrew Brun, Randy Holder, Ben Kilman, Will Kilman, Billy Bruce Boughton and Myrt Hales. Ben Thomason served as an honorary pallbearer.

The family wishes to thank the many caregivers and the St. Joseph staff for their compassionate care and support.

Online registry/condolences are at www.mulhearnfuneralhome. com.

Dorothy Dean Lockwood

Graveside services for Dorothy Dean Lockwood, 96, of Rayville, were held Monday, July 28, 2025, at Start Cemetery, Start, with Bro. Jason Middleton officiating under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville.

Mrs. Dorothy was born June 20, 1929, in Simsboro, and passed away Friday, July 25, 2025, in West Monroe.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Earl Lockwood; son, Steve Lockwood; infant son; parents, Jim Bartlett and Dovie Bartlett Raley; and brothers, Wayne Bartlett, Alfred Bartlett, and Tommy Bartlett.

Survivors include her daughter, Dianne Huff and husband, Perry; grandchildren, Joshua Huff and wife, Jessica, Shae Lockwood and wife, Janet, Amanda Jackson and husband, Kody, Emily Lockwood, and Dylan Lockwood; great-grandchildren, Makayla Lockwood, Bryce Lockwood, Nash Wilhite, Kammie Jackson, and Mavis Lockwood; sister-inlaw, Carol Ann Bartlett; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes. com.