Sara Alligood

 Imagine if you walked into a church for the first time, not sure if you would fit in and a couple greeted you with warm smiles, the woman had a soft spirit and made you feel welcomed and at home. Their pleasure to meet you was as genuine as your curiosity about the place you visited. The couple you met were William and Sara Alligood, who made people feel right at home, and Sara would love to gift you a piece of her delicious deep dish apple pie or a begonia she’d just dug up from her garden.

 Sara Alligood, 87 years of age, of Concord, NC, passed away peacefully from pancreatic cancer on January 29, 2026. Her desire was to pass at home and with the help of a wonderful hospice team and their on-call staff, she was able to do so with family members there singing songs of worship. She joined in to sing “How Great Thou Art’” just four days before she met her savior face to face. She was very moved by the words to “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” the day before she was walking with Him. What a glorious reunion to walk with Jesus and see him face to face. We do not grieve as others but rejoice for her new life in and with Christ. But we will miss her on earth. (1 Thes 4:13-14)

 Sara, who was born in Asheville, NC in 1938 to Marion and Lucile Penland Yost, loved that her father was a rural postal carrier and her mother was a teacher. Her father was a voracious reader who loved history and her mother was a woman whom people adored. Sara had many friends in Weaverville where she grew up and in college. She and a college chum nurtured and raised some chicks in secret in their dorm room for one semester at East Carolina University, where she obtained her elementary education degree. Her friends were lifelong friends. She was the last one standing of the girls she grew up with while in school at Weaverville. Sara herself loved to read and to write letters, so she took traits from both her parents. Sara was nurturing in all paths of her life, whether it was a chick, a plant, or a person, she poured life into everything around her. After teaching for a year, she was a stay-at-home mother until the kids were older, then she became a horticulturist for a private nursery and raised many poinsettias, begonias, and other flowers from seedlings or cuttings to maturity, while keeping flowerbeds thriving at home. She also kept beautiful hanging baskets thriving of fuchsias and ferns at her mother’s home in the mountains. Later, she took care of relatives, most notably her own mother, who lived to be 99 and her husband William who had Alzheimer’s.

 Sara Yost met the love of her life, William Alligood, while she was in college through a mutual friend. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on July 16, 1960, at the United Methodist church in Weaverville. They enjoyed music, growing plants, traveling, and attending church. Together, William and Sara had four children, and Sara is survived by three of them; Martha Reddish of Maumee, Ohio whose two children are Justin White wife Morgan of Wisconsin, Dawn husband William Kilpatrick of Rudolph, OH; Audrey Alligood of Concord, NC; Jonathan wife Kimberly Alligood of Lilesville, NC whose three children and ten grandchildren have all adopted Jonathan and thereby Sara.

Sara was an active member of Grace Church, until she had to care for William, then herself. At Grace, she devoted her time and energy to greeting, hospitality, and sharing the love of Jesus. Everyone who knew Sara knew how much she loved cooking, entertaining, nature-loving, and gardening. Sara will always be remembered for her prolific letter writing to encourage friends and family members. We will always remember her saying, ““There’s always something to be thankful for.” She will be missed for her bright smile and strong hugs. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

Sara was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, William Graham Alligood, son William Graham Alligood, Jr., brother Thomas Marion Yost, and sister-in-law Carole Jenrette Soles Yost. She is survived by her above-mentioned children, brother Dr. William F. Yost wife Phyllis, of Granite Falls, NC, and many cherished nieces and nephews and adopted daughters.

The visitation will be at Grace Church; on Friday, 13th at 1 pm with the service following at 2 pm.