Mrs. Sara Lou McWilliams Tirey, 90, of Chattanooga, peacefully passed away on April 13, 2023. She loved children and taught elementary school for 30 years in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Boyd Buchanan School in Chattanooga is where she taught for the last 23 years of her career. Lou will be remembered for her humor, thoughtfulness, and her positive influence on all of her students. Lou was from Cherokee, Alabama and graduated from Cherokee Vocational High School, University of North Alabama, and Auburn University.
Her faith was strong and she was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. She had been a member of Clear Creek Church of Christ for many years. Lou was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Jackson Ellis Tirey; her daughter, Donna Kay Tirey Commers; her parents, Cora and William McWilliams; sisters, Helen Neff, Evelyn Jones, Dorothy Todd; and brothers, Jimmy, Jack, and John McWilliams.
She is survived by her sister, Marilyn (Loren) Honn; her sons, Kenneth (Daphne) and Gregory; a son-in-law, Timothy Commers; her grandchildren, Joshua, Kaleb, and Nathan (Emily Ann) Commers; and a great-grandson, Jackson Commers.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Palmetto Cremation Service of Pickens, SC at www.palmettocremationservice.com
