Sarah Ann Deroe

Sarah Ann (Gillmore) DeRoe, 83, of Paragould passed away Thursday, September 5th, at the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center. Ann was born November 10, 1935, to sharecropper Leon (Tucker) Gillmore and Mary Calophene (McKinnon) Gillmore in Blytheville, Arkansas. Growing up she helped care for her younger brothers, worked in the family garden, and even in the fields. She loved helping her mother cook and bake.

The family moved many times, as her parents followed the harvest of crops. Life was difficult, but there was always love in the family. All of these experiences formed the woman Ann became. She was not afraid of hard work, and Ann always tried to make other peoples' burdens lighter. She was blessed to be able to be a stay-at-home mother for most of her children's growing years. Ann worked many jobs throughout her life. The one that gave her the most joy and satisfaction was working in the school kitchens at Paragould School District. From cook to kitchen manager, she assisted in cooking more than 9,000 meals, feeding thousands of students and faculty in her twenty-six year career.

Ann loved to travel. Her eighty-three years took Ann to more than twenty states and nine countries. Ann's favorite trip was to St. Peters Basilica at the Vatican, a place she never thought she would get to see. This is not surprising for one whose Catholic faith was so precious to her.

Ann gave of her time, treasures, and talents in many ways to St. Mary Catholic Church as a member for more than fifty years. She was among those at the beginning who chose to spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament when the church began Eucharistic Adoration.

She felt blessed in the role as Minister to the Sick, a role she shared with others for many years as she took Holy Communion to those who could not attend Mass. Ann also was involved as a PRE teacher for the young, and RCIA team member, offering support to those were interested in becoming Catholic.

Any way Ann could be involved in her church brought joy to her. This included helping in Christmas bazaars, spaghetti Dinners, Scripture Study groups, Vacation Bible School, and Cursillo. She was a Benedictine Oblate at Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and was generous with her support and prayers in many other ways.

Ann Considered her family her most prized accomplishment. Every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild were equally precious to her. She considered each a blessing. Everyone was welcome in her home. The visits, the phone calls, and family get-to-gathers, together with the family photos she relished, gave her great joy.

With every event there was food; favorite meals and desserts, including the Christmas candies. Every family member has a story to tell of Ann in the kitchen. That which she learned at her mother's side as a child served her well, and been passed on to the next generation.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Leon (Tucker) and Mary Gillmore, and brothers Jerome Clark (Bo) and Edmond Earl (Pete) Gillmore.

Survivors include: daughters Kem (John) Drake of Paragould, and Fawnda (Joe) Penn of Portia; sons Thomas (Leigh Anne) DeRoe and Joseph (Stephanie) DeRoe of Paragould; Grandchildren: Jeremy (Leah) Privett, David (Kendra) Drake, April (Demetrius) Alusi, Jason (Jennifer) Drake, Jennifer (Matt) Hibbard, Jonathan (Karah) Privett, Aaron Drake, Matthew (Danielle) Drake, Claire (Justin) Phillips, Tommy (Krista) DeRoe, Cody (Katie) DeRoe, Anna (Josh) Banks, Sarah Penn, Kristopher (Allyson) Moss, Kyle (Arin) DeRoe, and Mikael Moss; Great-grandchildren: Tristan, Carter, Jackson, & Nate Privett; Shelby, Cooper, & Spencer Drake; Kai & Rowan Alusi; Braxton Wrinkle, Zane & Zoey Hibbard; Matthew, Chase, James, Kathryn, & Ruby Privett; Jessie Drake; Karter & Karsyn DeRoe; Kaden Gripp & Joseph (Jojo) DeRoe; Karleigh Baskin & Piper, Hattie Jo, Oaklynn & Jagger Banks; and Gabriella Moss; Sister Mary Ruth Santel, brother Jerry (Linda) Gillmore, Sister-in-laws Barbara Gillmore, LaWanna (Hubert) Trapp, and Donna MacDonald; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Family visitation will be Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 PM. The Rosary will be said at 5:30, and public visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be Thursday at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father John Marconi and Father Mariadass Vallapaneni concelebrating. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery. Pallbearers include: grandsons Jeremy Privett, David Drake, Jason Drake, Johnathan Privett, Aaron Drake, Matthew Drake, Tommy DeRoe, Cody DeRoe, and Kyle DeRoe. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. Mary School in honor of Sarah Ann DeRoe.