Sara Jane Tipton

Sara Jane Tipton, 88, of Big Spring, passed away Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at her residence. She will lie in state Friday, October 13, 2023 from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Trinity Memorial Park.

Sara was born July 23, 1935 in Clarksville, Tennessee to parents Franklin Jefferson Malone, M.D. and Francis Wilma (Wheatley) Malone. She grew up in Clarksville and attended schools there. She furthered her studies at the University of Tennessee pursing her education in nursing. This is where she met her future husband, James Tipton, M.D., and they married January 29, 1955. He preceded her in death in 2012. She worked for Union Bank in Memphis prior to moving to South Carolina for his residency. The couple then relocated back to Clarksville before making their final move to Big Spring in 1961 where he began his medical career as an ENT, which he practiced many years here. Sara continued her studies at Howard College transferring to UTPB, where she obtained her Master’s Degree in Nursing. Once her children were grown, she started teaching at Moss Elementary. She was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church.

Sara is survived by her daughter Diane Tipton Veirs; four grandchildren: Jessica Tipton, Crystal Angelina Veirs, James Tipton III “Trey”, Ty Tipton and John Veirs; four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and her brother Sam Malone.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sons: James Warren Tipton, Jr. and Steven Malone Tipton; one brother Franklin Jefferson Malone, Jr. and her sister Mary Francis Malone.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Sara Jane Tipton, please visit our Tribute Store.