Sara Vaughan Philpott

Dillard was born and raised in South Boston, Virginia, where she spent her time outdoors with family, friends, and a menagerie of animals, that included--but was not limited to--monkeys, alligators, chickens, rabbits, doves, ducks, and, from time to time, a pack of stray dogs. She graduated from Longwood College with degrees in Art and Education, and went on to work in a variety of jobs, before following her passion of becoming a professional artist. She married the love of her life, Lee Philpott, in 1972, and they remained very happily married until his passing 48 years later.

Art was an important part of Dillard's life, from spending much of her free time as a child sketching horses, to carving award-winning duck decoys as a freelance artist, and finally gifting her children and grandchildren paintings in her later years, even when arthritis made it more difficult. Many family members and friends are lucky enough to have at least one of Dillard's original works hanging in their homes.

Dillard was known for her “biting” sense of humor and her unique aptitude for conveying a thousand words and a multitude of emotions with a quirk of her eyebrow. As one of her grandkids put it, “Granny is different from other people’s grandmothers. She’s so sassy but also loving at the same time.” In her passing, we have lost a lovingly salty, creative soul who will be missed forever.

Dillard was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Philpott, parents Martha and Billy Vaughan, and brother Bill Vaughan.

She is survived by her sister, Marty Vaughan; her children, Kate Philpott (John Bies), Sara Philpott, Al Philpott (Kayla Steinmetz), and Elizabeth Maksymonko (John); her grandchildren, Daniel, Connor, Jackie, Miles, Ellie, Noah, Madison, Asher, Elise and Ella; and her beloved dog Brandy.

A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, 1621 Emancipation Highway, Fredericksburg, Virginia. A reception will follow the service in the same location.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wildlife Center of Virginia (Waynesboro), or a charity of your choice that you think Dillard would appreciate.