Sara Frances Dickson D'Anna

The wisdom, compassion and wit of Sara Frances Dickson D’Anna did not leave us when she died in the early hours of December 15, 2025. Stories and memories of how she touched our lives will live on in our hearts and in how we view the world and how we treat others.

She was born on January 12,1942 in Anderson, SC, the older daughter of Jesse Sloan and Sara McLees Dickson. She graduated from Girls High School in Anderson and then Columbia College with a degree in psychology. She took that with her to Vanderbilt University and later the University of South Carolina receiving both masters and educational specialist degrees in special education. Sara taught in the Atlanta, GA and Grand Forks, ND school systems before coming to Spartanburg in 1984 to be a part of the McCarthy Teszler School where she was the coordinator of the Teszler Program and also was an adjunct professor at Converse University. She touched many lives through her work: as a guide for students and their families, as a mentor for beginning teachers, and as a personal support to fellow staff members. She always had time to listen.

It was in Spartanburg that she grew close to her sister, Martha Dickson, and became an important figure in the lives of her nephews, Brantley (Jenny Parrish) and Will (Melonie) Kerchmar, and niece, Anna (Harris) Collins, as well as their children and grandchildren. She also found her partner in life, Becky Wilson. She had many close friends who wholeheartedly loved and respected her.

Sara was passionate and competent about many things throughout her life: travel, camping, cooking, gardening, art, photography, good food and drink, the mountains, the beach, reading, rocks, nature, deep laughter, wood fires, hot coffee and only the best cinnamon rolls, just to name a few. And she loved them even more when she could share them with family and friends.

She was particularly fond of animals, often recalling how much she loved to ride her white horse, Prince. She had a succession of good and faithful dogs. It was her golden retriever, Scout, who was by her side everyday through her journey with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia. Becky, Martha, and many close friends, particularly Susan Smith, were at her side as the disease progressed, offering not just love, but also their varied areas of expertise to support her gently to the end.

Her final months were at White Oak Health Center where caring staff and SRMC Hospice workers supported her, Scout, and the people who loved her.

No doubt, Sara left this world a better and more beautiful place and while we mourn her loss, we will always feel gratitude for the joy we found in her presence.

A memorial service, followed by a time with family and friends will be held on January 10, 2026 at 11 am at Dunbar Funeral Home in Roebuck.

Memorials should be made to a charity of your choice.