Sarah “Lou” Davis Deal

Sarah “Lou” Davis Deal, age 95 of Morganton, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday June 1st, 2025. Lou was born in Morganton, NC on January 27th, 1930, to the late Charles Vernon Davis and Myrtice Greenwood Carter Davis.

Lou graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Raleigh and Salem College in Winston Salem. Teaching was Lou’s passion, teaching in various schools during her career. As an elementary school teacher, she taught in Charlotte NC, Columbia SC and in Burke County, NC Lou taught at the NC School for the Deaf several years and also taught speech and served as a homebound teacher for Burke County Schools. Lou loved children and teaching children.

Lou’s faith was strong, and she was a lifelong member of Grace Episcopal Church. She was very active in the church up until recent years. Lou taught Sunday school, was a director of weddings, vestry member and a past president and secretary of the Episcopal Church Women. She taught a Sunday school class for children with special needs and was a Den Mother in Cub Scouts. Her home was always filled with her sons’ friends, who thought of her as a ‘second’ mother.

Lou had a competitive spirit and was most fierce at the bridge table or on the tennis courts. She was well respected for her bridge playing skills and loved every game played.

Lou and her husband, Ray, were members of the Dutch Club and she was a past president of the Holiday Club. They were quite a pair to watch whenever they encountered a dance floor.

Lou is survived by her husband of 71 years and eleven months, Ray Deal. Lou is also survived by her sons, Mike Deal and wife Teresa of Advance, NC and Davis “Dose” Deal and wife Carol of Apex, NC; grandson, Bradley Deal and wife Shani of Raleigh, NC; step-grandson, Landon Carter and wife Sarah, and their son Clinton; sister-in-law, Lib Carter; niece, Anne Carter McNeill and her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Dick Carter and Bill Carter, and her sister Anne Carter Oehlbeck.

The family would like to say a special thank you for the love and care extended to Lou the past several years by her caregivers, Angie Holman, Linda Perkins and Gina Trujillo. Also, heartfelt thanks are extended to the staff at College Pines and Hospice House in Valdese. Lou received the best of care in her final days.

A private family graveside service will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3pm until 5pm, Saturday, June 7, 2025 at the home of Ray and Lou.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 303 S. King St., Morganton, NC 28655 and Amorem (Hospice House Valdese), 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, NC 28645.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.sossomanfh.com.