Sally Atkinson Fisher

Sally Atkinson Fisher, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and aunt passed away on February 20, 2024, at the age of 84. She was born on August 18, 1939, in Lumberton, North Carolina, to Henry Atkinson and Sallie H. Atkinson.

She is survived by her devoted husband and partner of 62 years, Robert Fisher; her two daughters Lynn Fisher and Catherine (Roger) Headley; her four grandchildren Patrick Mahurin, Bobby Mahurin, Mark Headley, and Chauncey Headley; her sister, Ellen (Atlas) Warwick; and her nieces and nephews. She will be dearly missed by her loving family and her many close friends who felt more like family.

Sally's life was one of service, education, and dedication to improving the lives of others. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, she pursued her passion for nutrition and became a Registered Dietician, followed by a master’s degree in Hospital Administration-dedicating her career to helping others lead healthier lives. She retired from the Medical College of Georgia, where she was the Director of Food & Nutrition Services.  A lifelong educator, Sally was a preceptor for the Augusta area Dietetic internship program and throughout her career found innovative ways to promote the role of nutrition in healing.

Sally lived her faith, always looking for the best in people and in situations. She personified the phrase “Bloom where you are planted.”   Early in their marriage, Bob was transferred around North Carolina with his career every 18 months, followed by a move to New Braunfels, Texas, and ultimately retired from Graniteville Company in Augusta, Georgia.  Sally would continue her work as a dietician in each new city and immediately look for a church home and build a community there.  She was actively involved and held leadership positions in the North Carolina and Georgia dietetic associations. She was honored with numerous awards during her career, including an endowed scholarship in her name.

Sally lived the phrase, “Friends who become Family,” always including those who found themselves far away from their own family in any holiday celebration.   Many were blessed to receive a handwritten birthday card from her each year, and she was renowned for her annual Christmas letters!  

She achieved great success in her professional life and had amazing time management skills, which allowed her to participate actively in small groups at her church home - including singing in the choir, book clubs, and the United Methodist women’s group. She was always looking for ways to connect and include others. 

Sally loved seeing new places and was fortunate to travel to all 50 states and several countries with her husband, family, and dear friends over the years. After her daughter moved to Doha, Qatar with her husband and children, Sally and Bob visited them. She was excited to explore and embrace the culture of her daughter’s new home country. Sally was the first up to ride a camel when they went out on a desert safari excursion. 

A loving and involved grandmother, she created a Fisher Family summer camp itinerary for her grandchildren. She planned and documented their activities each summer with a cherished binder complete with photos and detailed descriptions of each day’s activities - the highlight was always St John’s Choir camp. Sally fostered a love of music in each of her grandchildren. She also taught each of her grandchildren by the age of 6 how to properly set a table and use good etiquette during mealtimes. 

Sally loved her role as family historian for the Harrington and Atkinson families. Her parents were each one of twelve and 10 children respectively, so Sally and her sister Ellen grew up surrounded by family and were close with all their many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Sally and Ellen worked together to organize family reunions when it was their turn. In fact, Sally and Bob had traveled to help host a family reunion the weekend of September 29, 2017, when she suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke. 

Our great communicator was suddenly left without a voice as she suffered severe Aphasia and Apraxia. She displayed tireless determination and grace as she worked to regain her strength after the stroke, learning to walk again with assistance, although she was primarily confined to a wheelchair. While she never regained her speech, she managed to communicate her needs and thanked all who helped or visited her with her trademark smile or a kiss on their hand. 

We knew our parents had a great love and surrounded us with it always, but until this test, we never knew the full depth of that love.  To see our Dad light up with a sparkle in his eyes each time Mom would smile up at him was breathtaking.  He looked at her as if she was smiling at him for the very first time again, the same way she did on their first date after his softball game. 

Our Mom faced each challenge with grace, compassion, and strength. We are grateful to the many wonderful caregivers, doctors, nurses, and therapists who cared for Sally and her family during these last 6 1/2 years. We would also like to thank her adopted daughters and sons who stepped in whenever they could to support our family during the challenging moments and long years that followed her stroke.

Sally's legacy of love, kindness, and dedication will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. 

A service to celebrate Sally's life will be held on Friday, March 1st, at 2:00 PM at St. John United Methodist Church, located at 736 Greene St, Augusta, Georgia 30901. A reception will follow at the church.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

St. John United Methodist Church –Music Ministry Department

Give - St. John Augusta (stjohnaugusta.org)

The Sally Fisher Registered Dietician Scholarship

Donate — ADDA (eatrightaugusta.org)

Apparo Academy – Sally Fisher memorial gift

Apparo Academy, Inc. - General Giving Campaign_2023-2024 FY (networkforgood.com)