Sally Lane Wailes, 84, was born May 10, 1933, in Vicksburg. She entered St. Peter’s Gate on Feb. 16, 2018.

Sally’s life was full of love, family and laughter. A true Southerner, Sally loved pimento cheese sandwiches, fresh tomatoes, homemade mayonnaise, cheese grits and the New Orleans Saints. She enjoyed dinner with friends, the Sound of Music, Dancing with the Stars, Shark Tank, cold chardonnay and a good book. An avid reader, Sally was known to polish off two to three novels per week.

Sally graduated from Carr Central High School and attended Ole Miss. She followed in her father’s footsteps and became a banker and served more than 30 years in the business. She is a great-great-great-granddaughter of Vicksburg’s founder, Newitt Vick. In her 84 years in Vicksburg, she was an important part of the fabric of both her family and the larger community. Sally was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. She was a member of the Birthday Club and Boo-Ray Club, where she built friendships that spanned decades.

Sally was known as “Sassy” to her grandchildren, who chose their grandmother’s nickname with remarkable descriptive accuracy. If Sassy didn’t like something, she had no problem letting you know. It didn’t take long for those close to her to learn that she liked exactly three Sweet’n Low packets in her coffee, or that she was not to be bothered if ‘Regis & Kelly’ or ‘The Ellen Show’ was on. She was also a pontifical dinner guest, which is when her “sass” would really come into play.

Sassy was a loving mother and grandmother who was devoted to her two boys and her five grandchildren. She was a matriarch, commonly regarded as a ‘second mother’ or ‘aunt’ to many. “When your mom was mad at you, you went to Sassy’s house to wait it out,” says an anonymous cousin.

Most of all, Sally loved spending time with her family. She especially loved Thanksgiving, which typically brought 50-75 family members to Vicksburg. Sally was the self-appointed “recruiter” for Thanksgiving festivities and she was known to start calling family members for RSVPs as early as July. If for some reason you thought you might not make it, you knew you were about to get a lecture on the ‘importance of family’ from Sally.

Sally was preceded in death by her father, Robert Preston Wailes; her mother, Marie Colhoun Wailes Lassiter; her sisters, Marie Colhoun Wailes Smith, Jane Cowan Wailes Derivaux, Judy Warren Lassiter Kincannon, and her brother William Warren Lassiter III.

Sally is survived by her two sons, Paul Baker Murphy Jr. (Katherine) of Houston, Texas, and Patrick Wailes Murphy (Stacey) of Lakeland, Fla.; her sister, Ann Wailes Buchanan of Jackson; her brother, Robert Preston Wailes Jr. (Martha) of New Orleans, La.; and brother, Francis Marion Lassiter of New Orleans, La.

She is also survived by her five loving grandchildren, Catherine Clarke Murphy, Paul Baker (“Trey”) Murphy III and Robert Waits Murphy of Houston, Texas; Matthew Stoddard Murphy, Ashley Murphy Kelley and her husband Andrew Kelley of Lakeland, Fla. Sally is further survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, many of whom were active participants in her life. Especially her Derivaux family, who entertained her often and provided endless comedic material.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Logan Peay, who is an adopted niece. Also, we are grateful to the wonderful team at Squires Caregiving, LaToya, Mary, Laura and Ann, who collectively took great care of Sally and stayed by her side. The family also thanks the extremely caring team at Heritage House in Vicksburg.

The visitation will begin at noon Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 900 South St., Vicksburg, Mississippi, 39180. The funeral service will begin at 1. Immediately following the funeral, a graveside service will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery, 326 Lovers Lane, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 39183. After the graveside ceremony, friends and family will gather at Ann Haden’s home at 2609 Confederate Ave., Vicksburg, Mississippi, 39180.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Church Restoration Fund at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 900 South Street, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 39180.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7