Sallie Washington (Atkinson) Mowbray

"Do what you can, for who you can, while you can....one day it will be too late."

Sallie Atkinson Mowbray, 58, of New Canton passed peacefully on February 3, 2020. Sallie was born October 30, 1961, the daughter of Nora Seward Atkinson and the late W. E. “Bill” Atkinson, Sr.  She was a long time employee of Blue Rock Resources and Kyanite Mining Corporation.

She is survived by her mother, Nora S. Atkinson; husband, Freddie C. Mowbray, Jr.; brothers, Allen Atkinson and Elliott Atkinson;  niece, Maggie Campbell; mother-in-law, Phyllis Newton;  sister-in-law Karen Kitchen and her husband, Tom; nephew, Jeremy Kitchen and his wife, Kara; great nephew, Lane Kitchen and many friends that she loved as family.

Sallie was the beloved pianist at Mt. Zion Baptist Church for over 20 years and supported every event they sponsored.  She was honored as “ Volunteer of the Year” by the Buckingham Chamber of Commerce for her county wide participation in such organizations as the Auxiliary of the Arvonia Fire Department; Poll Chief of the New Canton Voting Precinct; the Anti-Litter task Force and working with Kyanite Mining Corporation’s annual trash pickup day; the After Prom Committee and Historic Buckingham Inc.;  wrote for the Buckingham Beacon, covering Board of Supervisor’s Meeting and other  events involved with Habitat for Humanity.

No one will ever know how many wedding and funerals Sallie played for and she always did it with joy in her heart. She often photographed many events and loved being able to hand over a disc with cherished memoires.

Many people have shared stories of Sallie showing up during times of sickness and grief with a willing heart to help in any way she may be needed.  She made trips to the drug store, grocery store or took someone to Farmville to get clothes for a funeral.  There was nothing Sallie would not do to help someone in need.  Sallie loved to bake rum cakes for her “special people”, there is no way to count how many she baked and delivered over the years.

Sallie’s smile was infectious.  When she blinked those blue eyes and smiled, you just had to feel better and smile back.  A light has gone out that shone on all of her family and friends but her light will continue to glow quietly as she continues to remain in our hearts and our lives forever.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 7, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery.  Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn.