Sarah Stephenson

Sarah Margaret Kincaid Stephenson, of Misenheimer, died Monday, December 3, 2012 at Stanly Regional Medical Center from complications due to pneumonia. She had been in declining health for several years. She was born on June 2, 1934, outside of Paducah, Kentucky, to the late Miles and Frances Jones Kincaid. She graduated in 1953 from Atwood High School in Atwood, Illinois, and became a registered nurse in 1956 after receiving her training from Brokaw Hospital School of Nursing (now Illinois Wesleyan University School of Nursing) in Bloomington, Illinois. It was while a student at Brokaw that she met Harold P. Stephenson, a professor at Illinois Wesleyan University. They were married August 12, 1956. In 1958 they moved to Durham, NC, for Harold to assume a position at Duke University. While in Durham, Sarah worked in the OB ward of Duke University Hospital. In 1960 they moved to Misenheimer, NC, which was their home until their passing. As a young woman she aspired to be an artist and actress, but was called to the nursing profession upon the death of her best friend, Nancy Patrick, in an automobile accident. Sarah dedicated her life in nursing to the memory of her friend. Sarah loved babies and helping bring life into this world. She was an obstetrics nurse at Duke University Medical Center and later at Stanly Regional Hospital and was present at the birth of many of the area’s children between 1969 and 1992. Many times, and sometimes years after the fact, women would stop her in all places to express their love and gratitude for her caring bedside manner when their children were born. She was dedicated to her patients to such a degree that she would stand with a patient and hold their hand to calm their fears as they were x-rayed, or undergoing some extreme procedure, often exposing herself to hazards above and beyond the call of duty. She had recently been a resident of Bethany Woods Nursing and Rehab and was formerly a resident of Spring Arbor Assisted Living. She found great joy in getting to know her fellow residents and the staff and knew everyone's name at Spring Arbor while she lived there. She cared for and loved all of the nursing staff at Bethany Woods and cared deeply for the health and well-being of the residents. Her husband preceded her in death on November 3, 2012. She is survived by her daughter Ellen Stephenson of Bozeman, Montana, and a son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Caroline Stephenson (and much anticipated grandson), of Misenheimer, and a sister Winifred Kincaid Broome of Stuart, Florida. The service will be held at a later date. Memorials for obstetrics and nursery equipment needs may be sent in the name of Sarah Margaret Kincaid Stephenson to Stanly Regional Medical Center Foundation at: S.R.M.C. Foundation, "Women's Services," PO Box 254, Albemarle, NC, 28002