LaMarr Hadley Preston

Sara LaMarr Hadley Preston, 83, of Leicester, NC, and formerly of Rasberry Drive, Wilson, NC, passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2022. LaMarr was the daughter of the late Lynn Lunsford and Zebulon Zachary Hadley, Jr. She was a granddaughter of the late Bascom Lamar Lunsford, “Minstrel of the Appalachians”. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Zebulon Zachary Hadley, III.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Andrew Conrath Preston, Sr.; sons, Andrew Conrath Preston, Jr., and the Rev. Hunter Hadley Preston (Karen); grandchildren, Kelli Campbell Preston Powell (William), Sarah Katherine Preston Barber (Benjamin), and Andrew Conrath Preston, III; sister-in-law, Carolyn C. Hadley, and brother-in-law, Gordis C. Preston (Ursula), as well as cousins, nieces and nephews, and her beloved Chihuahua, Rita.

LaMarr considered two places home: Wilson, where she was primarily raised (graduating from Charles L. Coon High School), and Leicester, where she fondly remembered passing boards and nails to her father when they built a house on family land, and where she participated in many square dancing and clogging festivals organized by her grandfather. While Leicester was her sentimental “home place,” Wilson is where she was musically nurtured and where she would devote her life to nurturing students both musically and personally.

As a piano major at East Carolina (College), she became the accompanist of a Xylophonist and Music Education Graduate Student, and continued to accompany him as the perfect complement for nearly 62 years of marriage. With her husband, Andy, she served a number of area churches’ music ministries both before and after raising her children. A long-time member of 1st UMC in Wilson, in later years she also invested in the congregations of both West Nash and Winstead United Methodist Churches. Her faith and trust in God’s provision is a lasting legacy. A supportive at-home mom where she also taught piano for 40 years, her compassion and encouraging spirit blessed countless students and created a musical ripple which will continue to spread for years to come. Her smile, humor, and unsinkable optimism will surely be missed, but will also live on in the lives of her family, friends and students.

The memorial service for Mrs. Preston will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 24, at Abernethy United Methodist Church, 1418 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806. The Rev. Ed Hillman, Givens Estates, will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation Resident Assistance Fund (104 College Dr. Flat Rock, NC 28731). The family is truly grateful for their care and loving kindness. Also, Winstead United Methodist Church Building Fund (2302 Nash Street North, Suite E, #275, Wilson, NC 27896).

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.