SARA CORDER LIPHAM - OBITUARY

A funeral for Sara Corder Lipham of Athens, Alabama, age 90, will be held at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 15, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be at the funeral home two hours preceding the service from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Her burial will be in the Athens City Cemetery beside her first husband and father of her two children, the late James (Red) Corder. Sara died on Sunday, February 12, 2017.
Sara lived a long, full life and enjoyed her church, family, friends, work, playing cards and traveling. Her four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren all called her Grandmother.

She was born on September 12, 1926, in Nashville, Tennessee, to a single mother, Hannah Leah Pomeranz. Nine months later, she was adopted by Sydney Waters Hanna and Alice Garner Hanna of Pulaski, TN. Her adoptive mother died when she was just12 years of age, and her father later married Mamie Lou Hester, who was a wonderful step-mother to Sara. She was never told by her parents that she was adopted; however, at her adoptive mother’s funeral, Sara overheard someone mention it. That conversation planted the seed that later caused her to begin the search for her birth mother. She ultimately found her mother living in southern California. Sara then developed a wonderful relationship with her.

Sara was preceded in death by three husbands:
James (Red) Corder, Robert Henry (Bob Henry) Walker and James P. (J.P.) Lipham; adoptive parents, Sidney Waters and Alice Garner Hanna; birth mother, Hannah Pomeranz Kelly; and step-mother, Mamie Lou Hanna.

Sara was employed as a secretary at Redstone Arsenal during World War II. She worked at the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service of Auburn University for 30 years, retiring in 1983. During that time, she worked with almost every farmer in Limestone County, members of the 4-H clubs, and members of the Limestone County Homemakers Association. She was an active and faithful member of First Baptist Church of Athens throughout her adult life. In the church she was a member of Keenagers, WMU, and the Lydia Sunday School class. She was an avid card player and belonged to a Canasta club, Rook club, and later was a member of the Victorian Red Hat club. She resided for over three years at Limestone Health Facility. She made delicious sour dough bread and enjoyed sharing it with friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Corder Curtis and husband, Joe; and son, James (Jimmy) Mason Corder, Jr. and wife, Pam, all of Athens. She had four grandchildren: Dr. Jonathan Curtis and wife, Debbie, of Birmingham, AL.; Dr. James Mason (Jim) Corder, III, and wife, Janet, of Tuscaloosa; Amanda Curtis Hobbs and husband, Jessie, of Elkmont; and Johanna Frances Cunico of Athens. Her step-grandchildren are Will Noojin and Leah Noojin. Her great-grandchildren are Sarah Elizabeth Hobbs, Jessie Curtis Hobbs, James Corder Hobbs, Emma Caroline Hobbs, of Elkmont; Lucy Ayers Corder, Molly Katherine Corder and James Mason Corder, IV, of Tuscaloosa; Nora Jane Cunico of Athens and special nephew, Jack Gilbert of Elkmont. She is survived by a step-daughter-in-law, Becky Walker, and her sons, Robert Henry Walker, IV and Perry Wilson Walker, and step-great-grandson, Robert Henry Walker, V, all of Mississippi.

Sara had many wonderful caregivers during the last five years. We are thankful for the employees of Limestone Health and Rehab Facility and for the Hospice of Limestone County.

Pallbearers will be Jonathan Curtis, Jim Corder, Jessie Hobbs, Jack Gilbert, Joey Curtis and Jimmy Corder.