Sally Aycock

1929 - 2025

Sally Rheta Thompson Aycock passed away on November 13, 2025, at the age of 96.

She was born on March 18, 1929, in Easley, SC, to Rheta Patrick and John Allen Thompson Sr.

Her loving parents had five other children to support during the Great Depression. Her aunt and uncle, Sallie Thompson and Arthur G. King, asked to raise her in their nearby home, as they had good jobs at the time-school teacher and postmaster-but could not have children. Her parents agreed, as they knew she would be well provided for and receive a good education.

She graduated from Easley High School, Agnes Scott College (bachelor's), and Furman University (master's of education).

She met and married Marvin Brady Aycock Jr. in 1959. They had four children, including a daughter who died at birth. Sally lived in Albemarle, NC, for 25 years and at Friends Home–Guilford in Greensboro, NC, from 2012 until her passing.

Among other jobs, Sally served on the faculty at the Greenville Hospital School of Nursing and later as a guidance counselor in the Stanly County (NC) Schools system. In between, she served alongside her husband, a Baptist and later Episcopalian minister, in Elizabeth City, Winston-Salem, Warrenton, Salisbury and Thomasville (all in North Carolina).

She was committed to several causes throughout her life, including the advancement of women's rights, through the formation and leadership of a League of Women Voters chapter; education, as one of the first women elected to the Stanly County Board of Education; and the environment.

She is pre-deceased by her husband; her brothers-John Allen Jr., Charles Robert, Joseph Patrick-and her sisters Beulah Lee (Boo) Arnold and Jean Still; and her son David. She is survived by her daughter, Amy Aycock Cole (Franklin), Greensboro, NC, and son, Clark Allen Aycock (Lisa Witler), Asheville, NC; grandchildren LaShonda Aycock (Jimmy Isbill), Christopher Aycock (Emily Morton), and John Patrick Aycock; and great-grandchildren Rayden Isbill and Kerri Isbill, and Savannah Aycock and Weston Aycock.

Sally chose to have her body sent to the Whole Body Donation Program at Wake Forest School of Medicine to be used for medical courses and studies. A memorial service will be held at Friends Home–Guilford at a date to be determined later. If you would like to get in touch with the family, please call or text 828-771-6983.

Gifts in her memory should be sent to the Greensboro Housing Coalition (122 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27402 or greensborohousingcoalition.org) to help families in need of finding good homes.