Sarah Cooke "Sally" Newcomb

1947 - 2025

Sarah "Sally" Cooke Newcomb

June 4, 1947 - October 23, 2025

Sarah "Sally" Cooke Newcomb, 78, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 23, 2025, surrounded by her family. Born on June 4, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Nicholas Trout Cooke, Jr. and the late Jane Harrison Cooke of Richmond, Va.

Sally is survived by her devoted husband, Luther "Luke" Arrington Newcomb; her daughters, Sarah Newcomb Kitchin (William) and Mary "Molly" Newcomb Tharp (Alexander); her stepson, Christopher "Chris" Arrington Newcomb (Carrie); her brother, Nicholas "Nick" Trout Cooke III (Ellen); and her beloved grandchildren, Sally Newcomb Kitchin, William Old Kitchin, Jr., and Alexander Lee Tharp, Jr.

Sally attended St. Catherine's School and Mary Baldwin College, after which she began a long career in banking in Richmond. She had fond memories of her time with coworkers at Central Fidelity Bank and later Wachovia. It was during this time that she met and married Luke, and she was always quick to remind everyone that she was his boss, both at work and at home.

After retiring from the bank, Sally was perhaps most well-known for her favorite hobby, needlepoint. She worked at Jermies with beloved coworkers for many happy years, and her joy of needlepoint treasures quickly spread through the community. Now so many families have stockings, belts, or Christmas ornaments with her personal touch. She loved each customer, family, and story that accompanied her work. Sally's other passion was working alongside her brother and sister-in-law in their rare and antiquarian bookstore. She quickly became fond of her Black Swan Books family, both colleagues and the "regulars" at the store.

Sally lived in Tuckahoe Terrace all of her life, and her life revolved around the families that moved in and out of this neighborhood over the years. In the past 15 years, she earned the title "Tata" from all of the neighborhood children, her favorite title yet. The kids knew Tata would never tattle; always some candy to be had or a fence to break with a baseball. You couldn't walk up and down the street without hearing a child yelling "Hi Tata!" which always made her smile. Without a doubt though, her greatest pleasure was the time she spent with her grandchildren over the past few years. There were never enough pictures, videos, or FaceTimes to be had with Sally, Willie, and Lee and they could never get enough of their Tata.

A private graveside service will be held at Hollywood Cemetery to celebrate Sally's life.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made to two places near and dear to her heart. Sally spent many summers at Camp Mont Shenandoah, which remained one of her favorite places. Contributions can be made by check to: The Community Foundation for Rockbridge, Bath, and Alleghany (CFRBA). Please put "Camp Mont Shenandoah Scholarship Fund in Memory of Sally Newcomb" in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to PO Box 20, Lexington, VA 24450.

Sally was passionate about rescuing dogs, and her past two rescues, Pepper and Daisy, were the loves of her life. Donations can be made online at www.fursdogs.com or by mail to 3420 Short Pump Road #228, Richmond, VA 23233. Please put in the memo line or the message box online "In Memory of Sally Newcomb."