Sarah Nell Underwood (Gill) passed away on November 7, 2022, as a result of lung cancer. She died peacefully, with her loving family at her side. She was born on February 17, 1960, in Memphis TN, and grew up in Frenchman’s Bayou AR. Sarah was raised in a hard-working delta family. As a child, she chopped cotton, worked the garden, and tended the farm animals. She graduated from Rivercrest High School in 1978. She then attended her beloved University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS, and graduated with a degree in business administration in 1982 She was a member of the Ole Miss Choir and one of the original members of the Ole Miss Concert Singers. She married Don Underwood in 1984 and they moved to his hometown of Brookhaven MS. Sarah quickly became involved in the community. She was best known for her beautiful soprano voice. She led the soprano section of the First United Methodist Church for almost 40 years and shared her beautiful voice at innumerable weddings, funerals, and other social functions. Sarah shined when she sang. She was an active member of the Brookhaven Little Theatre, both starring in and directing many shows, as well as serving on their board of directors. Sarah was also the recipient of the prestigious BLT John Landress Award. Sarah worked for the Mississippi Division of Medicaid for more than 30 years. Through the years, she humbly helped the most vulnerable in our community. She retired from her regional manager position in June of 2022. Sarah loved all her family and friends, and she loved her community, but none owned her heart, like her only child, her dear son Stone Underwood. Never has there been a more faithful mother. She was often seen sporting a Stone tote bag at football games, wearing a Stone football jersey, and she put up a Stone Christmas tree yearly, decorated with all his childhood ornaments. May all mothers endeavor to love like Sarah loved Stone. Sarah is survived by her husband, Don Underwood, son, Stone Underwood, daughter-in-law, Devon Kelly Underwood, sister, Polly Gill, sister, Trudy Gill, brother, Gus Daniel (Danny) Gill, and sister-in-law, Tammy Underwood Torrey. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Charlene Laverne Cothern Gill and Gus Daniel Gill, grandparents, George Gus GIll and Florence Stone Gill, and her brother-in-law, Jimmy Torrey.
Visitation is Wednesday, November 9th, from 5:00-8:00 pm at Riverwood Family Funeral Service, Brookhaven, MS, and Thursday, November 10th, 9:30-10:30 am, at First United Methodist Church, Brookhaven, MS, followed by the funeral service at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Riverwood Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Sarah G. Underwood Athletic Fund at Copiah-Lincoln Community College or to Brookhaven Animal Rescue League (BARL)
