Sallie Hodges Hartis, 73, of Taylorsville, N.C., passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on December 10, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Frank and Annie Hodges. She graduated from Mount Holly High School in 1969 and Appalachian State University in 1973. She also received her master’s degree in education from Appalachian in 1984. She taught school in Alexander County for over 30 years. Following her retirement, she continued on in employment at the Chamber of Commerce, Wilkes Community College, and People’s Drug Store.

During her entire adult life, her focus has been on giving back to the community and educating the future generations of Alexander County. She not only taught in Alexander County Schools, she also taught Sunday School, coached many athletic teams, and served on the Alexander County School Board. She was recognized as the Alexander County Schools Teacher of the Year in 1988 and the Alexander County Schools Award of Honor recipient in 2006. She was also an active, longtime member of First Baptist Church.

In her free time, she loved spending time with her family and friends, especially on the New River. For the past 18 years, her grandchildren have been the light of her life. Throughout her life, her goal was to help shape young people into people of high moral character.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years, Phil Hartis.

She is survived by her son, Josh Hartis (Farrah), daughter Kristen Jolly (Adam), grandchildren, Teryn and Cade Hartis and Garrett and Alyssa Jolly, brothers Ken (Coleen) Hodges, Bud (Becky) Hodges, Jerry Hodges, and Melvin Hodges, along with many other family and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Taylorsville. Pastor Scott Henson will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date.

The family will receive friends from 2 until 3:45 p.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Alexander Hospice, 50 Lucy Echerd Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681.

Condolences may be sent to www.adamsfunerals.com.

Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Services are honored to be serving the family of Sallie Hodges Hartis.