Sara (Sally) Rogan Shannon Obituary

Sarah (Sally) Rogan Shannon died January 1, 2026, at age 93 after a short illness. Born November 3, 1932, in New Albany, Mississippi, her family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, when she was a little girl. She graduated from Messick High School and attended Bethel College, now Bethel University, in McKenzie, TN. Most of her working years were spent as a transcriptionist at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Memphis, TN. where she retired after 31 years. She also worked at Memphis Campus School Nursery/Pre-K School.

Sally was baptized as an infant at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in New Albany, MS. After moving to Memphis with her family, she was a member of the Park Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years and then Colonial Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Deacon and sang in the choir. Sally also attended Independent Presbyterian Church and Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Germantown. At the time of her death, she was a member of Brunswick Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Brunswick, TN. During her lifetime of service in the church she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and helped in Vacation Bible School, among other things. She had a deep abiding faith throughout her life and enjoyed sharing it with others.

Sally enjoyed sports of all kinds and played softball in a Memphis women's league. Although she had no children of her own, she doted on her nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great niece and nephews, as well as many children in her neighborhood, church, and volunteer work. After retiring she volunteered at Sherwood Elementary School, The Children's Museum, and Messick Adult Literacy Program, all in Memphis, TN. Although Sally did not like to be in crowds, she really enjoyed meeting strangers one on one and getting to know people to see if she could make a connection to someone she knew or someplace she had been. If she didn't know you when you met, she knew you when you parted!

Sally leaves behind a sister, Terry Shannon Goode of Gainesville, GA; a brother, James R. (Jim) Shannon, Jr. (Margie) of Memphis, TN; a nephew, Jerry Goode (Heather) of Gainesville, GA; a niece, Cindy Shannon Harris (Terry), of Hendersonville, TN; 6 great-nieces, 2 great-nephews, 5 great-great nephews and 1 great-great niece. She is predeceased by her father, James Rogan Shannon, Sr.; her mother, Audrie Dacus Shannon; her sister, Julia Barry Shannon Knight; her brother-in-law, Edward Goode; a nephew, Alan Edward Goode (Theresa); and a niece, Kelly Shannon Carlson (Paul).

The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the staff at Shelby Oaks Post Acute and at Baptist Hospice Care for taking care of Sally in her last years and days. Other caretakers include her brother, Jim, and his wife, Margie.

Her funeral service will be held at Forest Hill Funeral Home on Whitten Road in Memphis, TN on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. with interment to follow at Forest Hill Cemetery on Elvis Presley Blvd. in Memphis, TN. Visitation will be 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be sent to Cumberland Youth and Family Services, St. Jude Hospital, or charity of your choice.