Sarah Dameron Mccracken

Sarah Dameron McCracken, 100, of Durham, NC, was born on July 15, 1923, and passed away on October 3, 2023. A lifelong Durham resident, Sarah was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She lived at The Forest at Duke for the past 26 years.

She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Joseph P. McCracken, parents Earl C. and Lillian P. Dameron, sister Sybil Dameron Redfern, and son George Dameron McCracken. She is survived by sons Dr. J. Stuart McCracken (Kathryn Vokaty) of Durham, and Donald E. McCracken of Charlottesville, VA, daughter Nancy McCracken Arant (David) of Germantown, TN; granddaughters Dr. Emily K. McCracken of Winston-Salem, and Julianna E. McCracken (Brian Morgan) of Baltimore, MD, grandsons Alexander W. McCracken (Laura) of Fuquay-Varina, NC, and Morgan J. Arant (Elizabeth) of Durham; and four great-grandchildren George Arant, Frank Morgan, Paul Arant, and Elaine Morgan. Other close relatives include Mary C. Redfern, of Arlington, VA., Carolyn G. Redfern of Raleigh, NC, and Debbie J. Shivers, of Dallas, TX.

Sarah graduated from Duke University in 1945 with a degree in music. She was well known in Durham for her beautiful soprano voice and sang for numerous weddings, funerals and other events, including an Easter Sunrise Service solo from the top of Duke Chapel. As a charter member of the Durham Choral Society, she performed with the group until the 1980's. She was a member of the Friday Morning Music Study Club as well.

She became a member of Duke Memorial United Methodist Church while in college, and was a dedicated choir member, soloist, altar guild member and a member of United Methodist Women. In recent years, she was a member of the Duke Chapel congregation. A long-time volunteer at the Red Cross and Duke Gardens, she was also a 35-year member of the Watts Hospital Women's Auxiliary.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be made to Duke Children’s Hospital or the American Red Cross.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to the caregivers and staff of the Forest at Duke Health Care Center, and the Duke Hospital Physicians and Nurses of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, for all their kindnesses and superb care.