Sally Grayson Cullum

Sally was born in Dallas, Texas on October 2, 1947, to the late Elizabeth Ann Pierce Grayson and Allan Monroe Grayson, Jr. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, G. Mark Cullum; son M. Christian Cullum and wife Becky, daughters Carolina Martin and husband Matthew, and Susannah McGown and husband Patrick; brother Allan M. Grayson III and wife Valerie, and sister Lissie Grayson Donosky and husband Steve. She was the beloved “Coco” to her grandchildren, Grayson, Jackson, Andrew, Carter, Caroline, and Caleb.

Sally was a graduate of Highland Park High School, where she made life-long friends, and then went on to Arizona State University. She pledged the Pi Beta Phi fraternity, just as her mother had, and was inducted into the Order of the Golden Arrow, being a member for 50 years in 2016. While earning her Masters in History at Southern Methodist University, she served as a dorm director, during which time she met Mark on a blind date. One of her favorite pastimes was (loudly!) cheering on the Ponies at the SMU football games along with Mark.

Sally was a lifetime member of Highland Park United Methodist Church and was active in the community, belonging to the Junior League of Dallas, The Dallas Women’s Club, The Dallas Garden Club, The Dallas Country Club, DSOL and Crystal Charity Ball. She was also a board member for The Family Place, The North Texas Food Bank, the SMU Library Systems, and many more.

She grew up vacationing in the mountains of New Mexico, and it became her happy place. She and Mark fulfilled their life-long dream of owning a home in Santa Fe, which they shared with family and friends for 25 years. Her love of travel also led her to many places around the world, where she enjoyed experiencing the history and culture of new places.

Sally was very loyal and loving to her family and friends. Her creativity was evident in her love of needlepoint, hand-making all her children’s and grandchildren’s Christmas stockings, as well as designing and printing homemade gift tags. She loved music, and even when she could not talk much at the end, she would join in singing every line to a song.

Our world has darkened, but we find peace in knowing she is made whole again and is with her parents and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The family would like to thank her wonderful caretakers, Helen, Eve and Selina, for their devoted care these last few years. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 8th at 10:00 a.m. at Highland Park United Methodist Church. A live stream of the service will be available online at www.hpumc.org . As a tribute to Sally, please wear bright colors in her memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Highland Park United Methodist Church, 3300 Mockingbird Ln., Dallas, TX 75205, or the SMU Development Office for SMU-in-Taos, 6200 N. Central Expwy, Dallas, TX 75206.