Sarah Louise Willis Bean, daughter of Esse Lorene Mitchum (1985) and W.B. Willis (1998) gained her heavenly wings on September 21, 2022, surrounded by the ones she loved. Sarah resided in Talladega, Alabama for half of her life then moved with her family to Alabaster, Alabama for the remainder. While in Talladega, she spent majority of her childhood going to the ritz theater, swimming, and shopping with her mom at the stores on the square. She graduated from Talladega High School and worked for over 30 years at Palm Beach factory. After retirement she enjoyed her time as an early childhood educator as well as traveling. She went on a once in a lifetime trip to Niagara Falls enjoying the scenery from both the United States and Canadian side. She attended Jimmy Carter’s Sunday school class in Plains, Georgia and sat beside his wife Rosaland Carter. She experienced a private tour of Graceland and watched a horse race at Louisville.  She continued to travel in her later years with her Sunday school class at First Baptist Alabaster.

Her last 30 years was spent living in Alabaster, Alabama with her daughter (Jamie Higgins), son in law (Ronnie Higgins), and two grandchildren (Jasmine & Wyatt Higgins). During this time of her life, she devoted herself to caring for and educating her grandchildren. She was avid reader and passed her passion on to both grandchildren. Sarah ensured they were successful in both school and all their extracurricular activities. She was well known for going out of her way to make sure both had anything they ever needed or wanted including a weekly trip for an Icee after a long day of school. As her grandchildren grew, she shared her love for her favorite shows with them. She enjoyed watching NCIS, Blue Bloods, CSI, and many more crime shows with her granddaughter. She shared her favorite musicians with her grandson and often times they would sit and listen to Elvis, the Blackwood Brothers, the Gathers, Conway or Tom Jones on the record player.  Sarah was a great mom and an extraordinary grandmother. She was very loved and cherished.

“In tears we saw you sinking, and watched you pass away. Our hearts were almost broken, we wanted you to stay. But when we saw you sleeping, so peaceful, free from pain. How could we wish you back with us, to suffer that again. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God took you home.”

We love you Mom/Maw-Maw