Sarah Frances Dickens Carr

Sarah Frances Dickens Carr, 88, of Morehead City, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Carteret Health Care, Morehead City.

A celebration of Sarah’s life will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, November 9th at First Baptist Church in Morehead City, officiated by Rev. Dr. Nate Leonard and Rev. Tommy Vinson. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday, November 8th at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City. For those unable to attend, the funeral service can be viewed through her obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. Sarah will be laid to rest privately at Gethsemane Memorial Park.

Sarah was born March 20, 1937, in Aurelian Springs, NC, to Milton and Alma Grey Dickens. At age 5, Sarah and family moved to Black Mountain, NC, where she spent the rest of her childhood. Sarah graduated from Owen High School and pursued her education at Hardbarger College in Raleigh, NC. While in Raleigh she was introduced to her future husband and the love of her life, Stanley Gaston Carr, by his sister Laura Carr. Sarah and Stanley married on April 16, 1960.

Sarah served as the secretary to the chief driver’s license examiner with the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and supported Stanley through his education at North Carolina State University into his career with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Stanley’s job as a civil engineer took the family to Knoxville and Chattanooga, TN; Scottsboro, AL; Corinth, MS; and finally to Morehead City in 1982, where they both retired in 1997. Along the way, they made countless lifelong friends.

Sarah was an attentive mother to her four children, spending many days planning fun events and holiday celebrations. Her Easter bunny and Jesus’s birthday cakes were a tradition until her passing. While living in Alabama and Mississippi, she served as a kindergarten teacher. Upon moving to North Carolina, she became the registrar at West Carteret High School until retiring to become a full-time Nana. She was always eager to spend time with her grandchildren, leaving countless memories of pretend play in custom-made costumes. Most recently, she became a proud, slightly less active great-grandma.

Sarah was a beacon of kindness and love, always spreading warmth and affection wherever she went. Her father instilled in her a compassionate nature, while her mother taught her the importance of cherishing her loved ones. She carved her own path, adding an adventurous spirit to her welcoming and friendly demeanor. Known for her ability to diffuse conflicts with her soulful rendition of the song “Love one another,” she also embarked on thrilling trips with her husband and children. Regardless of the destination, she made each outing an unforgettable experience, transforming strangers into cherished friends and family.

Sarah was well-known for her amazing cooking that extended from addictive snacks and treats to delicious pies and cakes, to unforgettable dinners and side dishes. An exceptional cooking talent of Sarah’s was her unrivaled ability to make a tasty dish from random leftovers. Sarah was also notable for talking and telling stories; if you knew Sarah at all, then you knew her stories.

As she grew older, her circle of friends expanded, with younger individuals joining her in her journey. Sarah touched countless lives, inspiring others with her kindness, strength, love, and faith. She left behind a trail of hugs, a catalog of stories, and a heavy heart for those who have lost her.

Sarah is survived by son, Stanley David Carr, and wife, Dorothy, of Charlotte; daughter, Nancy Carr Phillimeano, and husband, Butch, of Morehead City; son, Douglas Wilson Carr, and wife, Carolyn, of Raleigh; son, Daniel Robert Carr, of Morehead City; grandchildren, Emily Bukovac (Eric), Jared Carr (Amanda), Grayson Stainback (Chelsie), Carrlee Gesell (Levi), Sunnie Stainback, Cora Carr, and Kendall Carr; great grandchildren, Bennett Bukovac, Quinn Bukovac, Shaylee Seiber, Palmer Stainback, Camden Stainback, and Brooks Gesell; sister, Julia Ann Dickens; sisters-in-law, Sally Shepherd Dickens, Laura Carr Southerland (Charles “Whit”), and Joanne Howell-Carr; and numerous treasured nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sarah adored her big family!

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Stanley; brothers, Robert Dickens and Jarvis Dickens; and in-laws, Sonny Carr and Annie Dickens.

Condolences may be sent to the Carr family at 3031 Fairway Road, Morehead City, NC 28557. Memorial donations may be made to either Carteret Health Foundation, 3500 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557 or American Diabetes Foundation, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.