Sara Nell Moss Hope

1948 - 2025

Sara Nell Moss Hope

January 28, 1948 - September 16, 2025

Cary, North Carolina - Sara Hope, age 77, of Cary, North Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

Sara Nell Moss Hope was born on January 28, 1948, in Charlotte, NC, the daughter of George Wingfield and Mae Sue Hord Moss, deceased. She spent her early years in Kings Mountain, making her debut at the Shelby Sub-Debutante Ball in 1966 and graduating from Peace College High School Preparatory. She later pursued her education at Meredith College and NC State University in Raleigh, NC.

Sara Nell devoted her life to books, sports, and community. She began a distinguished thirty-eight-year career as a librarian with positions at NC State University, UNC–Chapel Hill, and the Wake County School System, including Broughton High School. Her longest and most cherished tenure was at Athens Drive Community Library, where she served both the high school and the surrounding community. She treasured her colleagues there and, in her final weeks, was uplifted by their love, visits, and shared memories. Sara Nell had a gift for remembering people and connections, weaving together stories from her hometown of Kings Mountain to her decades in Raleigh.

A lifelong lover of sports, Sara Nell was a passionate NC State Wolfpack fan, and held season tickets. She traveled widely with her sister George Ann to NCAA basketball tournaments and football games, joyfully cheering on the Pack through Final Fours and Sweet Sixteens. She celebrated the Wolfpack attending hundreds of games with her nephew George Grigg, his wife Ann, and dear friend Kathy Hill.

Sara Nell and husband, Tommy Hope, were high school sweethearts whose lives took them on separate journeys before they reunited. Their marriage of thirteen years was filled with joy, companionship, and devotion.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Kings Mountain and found comfort in the services of Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh.

Survived by husband, "Tommy" Thomas Dean Hope Jr.; son, James Lindsay Wright (Priscilla Myers); step-son, "Trip" Thomas Dean Hope III; step-daughter, Meralie Hope Dupuis (Jacques); granddaughter, Madelyn Jaye Dupuis; sister, Susan Lee Moss Grigg (Glenn); nephews David and George Grigg (Ann); niece Sara Grigg Brame (William C. Jr.); grandnephews, grandnieces, and many dear cousins.

Sara Nell was welcomed into heaven by sister, George Anne Moss Marston (Tom Gallager, deceased); niece, Laura Grigg Powell (survived by husband Chris); and sister-in-laws Jackie Bennett, Judy Blalock (survived by husband Jerry), Vicky Jonas (survived by husband Craig).

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, NC, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511.

Graveside service will be held the following month on Sunday, November 23, 2025, 1:30 PM at Mountain Rest Cemetery in Kings Mountain, NC, 111 S Dilling Street, Kings Mountain, NC 28086.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Sara Nell by checking out a good book from your local library and reading it in her memory-or by cheering loudly for the Wolfpack at your next NC State game.

Arrangements entrusted to Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Cary, NC, and Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kings Mountain, NC.