Sara Jean (Dawkins) Hamby

Sara Jean Dawkins Hamby, age 64, a lifelong resident of Covington, Georgia passed away on July 4, 2024. Sara was born on February 3, 1960 to William Dawkins, Sr and Nedra Jean Thompson Dawkins. Sara married Robert (Bob) Edward Hamby, who was the love of her life on May 16, 1981 and the two shared 43 years of marriage and were blessed with two sons, Robert Jared Hamby and William Montana Hamby. Sara was an inspired artist, a passionate teacher, a faithful wife, and loving mother, but most of all she was a friend to everyone she met. Before beginning a career in teaching, Sara was well known for her decorative cake designs and catering as a co-owner of Holidays Cakes and Catering with her husband, Bob. Sara continued to use her artistic and creative abilities to create all kinds of artwork from Christmas ornaments and angels to paintings and pottery. Sara even made a clay bobblehead of her love, Bob!

As a graduate of Newton High School, Class of 1978, Sara attended Georgia College and State University where she earned a bachelor’s, master’s and specialist degree in education. Sara served in the Newton County School System for over 30 years as an educator primarily teaching and advocating for her students with learning exceptionalities. Throughout her career, Sara poured everything into her life passion and dedication of teaching others by using her creative and artistic abilities to connect with her students. She incorporated her passion for art to assist her students in learning as an educator at Indian Creek Middle School for over 25 years.

After her retirement, Sara continued to advocate for others through her service to the community. Her dedication to the Newton County Relay for Life began as the leader of the Indian Creek Middle School Relay for Life team, and later her own team, Alcovy Trestle Family and Friends. Sara faithfully led her teams in raising tens of thousands of dollars over her lifetime. Sara was a leader in her local church, Alcovy United Methodist; served meals alongside Bob at Repairers of the Breach in Covington, and served as President of the Retired Educators of Newton County. Even in her retirement, Sara was faithful in her commitments to caring for others and advocating for change in her community.

Sara is preceded in death by her mother and father, Nedra Jean Thompson and William Dawkins, Sr; as well as her beloved in-laws, Dewey Gibson Hamby and Bette Florence Sherod. Sara is survived by her loving husband, Bob Hamby, sons Jared and Montana Hamby (Natalee); her brother, Billy Dawkins, Jr (Diane) and nephew, Lee Dawkins (Angie); her best friend Beth Moore; as well as so many other beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and friends. Sara welcomed so many people into her close family and friends, and she loved each one of you dearly.

A celebration of Sara’s life will be held at 11am Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Alcovy United Methodist Church located at 12521 Alcovy Road, Covington, GA 30014. The service is being planned by Sara's son and daughter-in-law, Rev. Montana Hamby and Rev. Natalee Dukes Hamby. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made in memory of Sara Hamby to the Alcovy Trestle Family and Friends Relay for Life team benefitting the American Cancer Society, an organization that Sara supported for nearly two decades.

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