Sara Jo (Bown) Guy

Sara Jo Guy, age 83 of Tennessee, Illinois, went to be with our Lord and Savior, with her family at her side, on Friday, April 12, 2024. She was born December 8, 1940 in Macomb, to Joseph and Hazel Rigg-Bown. She was united in marriage December 24, 1961 to Charles Guy at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, in rural Macomb.  

Surviving to mourn her passing is her husband of 62 years Charles Guy, Tennessee, Illinois; 2 daughters: Kathy (Scot) MacKenzie, Columbia, Illinois, Kim (Ron) McCoy, Metamora, Illinois; 4 grandchildren: Alec MacKenzie, Amanda MacKenzie, Andrew (Danielle) McCoy, Sara McCoy; 2 great grandchildren: Zoey and Zeke McCoy; 2 sisters: Barbara Bown, Macomb, Illinois and Judy Everhart, West Des Moines, Iowa and 2 nieces Tammy (Phil) Niemeyer and Debbie (Matt) Gausman. Sara Jo was preceded in death by her parents.

Faith, Family, Friends and Music were paramount throughout Sara Jo’s life.

Sara graduated from Macomb High School and Western Illinois University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Master’s degree in Education. Music was always a part of her life.Throughout her childhood and education she took part in numerous performances and productions and was a member of the Pops Trio with her sister Barb and Aldena Purdy-Everhart.

Sara was unofficially drafted when Charles was drafted into Army Service. She served as the Choir Director for the church at Fort Sill Oklahoma, while Charles served as a Chaplain’s Assistant. She grew up on a farm and then became a farmer’s wife. She took an active role with managing the Bown and Guy farms. She and Charles would lovingly compete to see which family farm would produce the best yield and profit with their respective family farms. She was also a hummingbird enthusiast and would attract her Charm each year by only filling her feeders with the best sugar.

Sara Jo taught K-12 music in Plymouth, Macomb, and Colchester School Districts and also taught private piano lessons. While teaching she directed countless concerts, was the sponsor for Swing Choir and Choir, and directed many musicals. She transformed the Colchester school gymnasium into a full scale theater and orchestrated productions that could have played on any big screen stage. Her love for music will be carried on by her students. After teaching, Sara worked at Western Illinois University in the Admissions Office in a variety of positions, last working in collegiate articulation.

She was an active member of Hills Grove United Methodist Church, where she played the piano/organ, coordinated vacation bible school, was a member of the United Methodist Women’s group and supported many, many church meals and events. Sara was a member of the Colchester Sew and So Club, Colchester Lunch Bunch, Card Club, WIU Retiree Group, and the Crooked Creek Club. Sara was also the first Co-chairmen of the Colchester Labor Day Talent Show that has been active for 40 years. She and Charles frequented all the local restaurants and coffee groups never knowing a stranger. She treasured her friendships and was a friend like no other and genuinely cared about everyone around her.

Sara Jo loved every moment she spent with her family! She cherished each and every moment as a wife, mother, grandma and grandma-great. Her legacy will continue through her loving family. Sara made every family get-together special and a treasured memory for her grandchildren and taught them how to make special family recipes. She always, always was thinking of how she could support and help others. Sara was a living example of how to live life while honoring God and family.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Jones Mortuary in Colchester with Rev. Jim Clayton officiating, burial will follow the services at Hills Grove Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Friday, April 26, 2024, at the funeral home. Friends may view and sign the register book at the funeral home from 8:30 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Friday. Memorials can be made to Hills Grove United Methodist Church, for which she was a life-long member or Scotland Trinity Presbyterian Church, for which Sara’s parents were founding members. Both churches were dear to her heart and a big part of her life.   Condolences and memories can be expressed to the family at jonesmortuaryfh.com.

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