Sarah Jane Birchmore Wildman

Known to most as "Sally," she was born in Athens, Georgia on June 19, 1935 to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Agnew Birchmore.  She attended Athens High School and the University of Georgia where she was a member of the Phi Mu sorority and Zeta Phi ETA (National Honorary Speech Association for Women).

During her senior year at UGA Sally was introduced to John Eugene Wildman while at a Naval Academy ball here in Athens. They wed on August 10, 1956.  As a naval intelligence officer and attache' to Cairo, Egypt they moved there in 1961 and thus began a life of many wonderful adventures.  In January of 1979, during the Iranian Revolution, they fled Tehran and relocated back to Athens where she lived for the remainder of her life.

Sally had many interests and passions.  She was a "people person."  She majored in theater and later became the lay person for the National Theater Accreditation Association.  In the 1960's she loved participating in the local Athens "Follies" along with many of her friends and fellow Athenians.  She often visited New York City and enjoyed attending Broadway shows.  She was also instrumental in creating the Town and Gown Theater here in Athens.

Sally was on the Board for the Creation of the Civic Center and served as President of the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art for two years.  She enjoyed staying busy and was a member of numerous groups such as: Junior League, Wednesday Study Club, Opera Guild, Heritage Garden Club, Rabun Gap Nacoochee Guild, her bridge group, Emmanuel Episcopal Church Altar Guild and Colonial Dames, to name just a few.  She was an art collector, avid swimmer and loved her visits to Canyon Ranch!

Sally was a writer. She earned a degree in journalism from UGA. Earlier in her career she wrote a society column called the "Tete A Tete" for the Athens Banner-Herald.  In addition, she wrote for the Smithsonian magazine and was a managing editor for the Tehran American Women's Club in Tehran, Iran.  After returning back to the states she served as the public relations director at Athens General Hospital.

Sally loved to travel.  She embraced different cultures and cherished making new friends wherever she went.  Whether climbing the steps to monasteries in Nepal, navigating the mountains of Afghanistan, walking the Great Wall of China, traveling the Silk Road, venturing on an African safari, and so on, she never met a stranger and would gladly "chat" with everyone, regardless of whether or not she spoke their language. As anyone who knew her can attest, of all her travels, Cairo, Egypt was her favorite. She befriended President Anwar Sadat's wife, Jehan and returned to the country many times.  It is where she learned to belly dance.  In the 1970's she wrote a "book" about it and taught classes out of her home.  She had many long-standing relationships with her fellow Athenians, as well as people around the world.

Sally had an optimistic spirit. She always had a smile on her face and a kind word to all she met.  She maintained her cheerful demeanor to the end. She was also tenacious, having survived ovarian cancer in 2008 against all odds.  She was a true Steel Magnolia.  She valiantly fought her battle with dementia, never losing her beautiful smile.

Sally is preceded in death by her husband John Eugene Wildman, her sister Betsy Birchmore Thornton, and both of her parents.  She is survived by her daughters Sarah Elizabeth Wildman "Salliebet" and Miriam Bowden Wildman, cousins Fred Birchmore, Dr. Danny Birchmore, Dr. Becky Birchmore Campen and Dr. Linda Birchmore Musick, as well as her niece and nephew Julian and Amy Anthony and Ashley McKeithen Nelson, Alex McKeithen and Millicent McKeithen Kang.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church with the Reverend Katie Bradshaw and the Reverend Mandy Brady officiating. There will be a reception at the church immediately following.  A private burial will be held afterwards at the Oconee Hill Cemetery.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Orchard Senior Living, Bristol Hospice and the committed and loving private caregivers Janie Gaines, Debbie Cunningham, Deidra Rich, Jennifer Wilder and Jessica Brown.

Memorial donations may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 498 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA 30601, in memory of Sally Wildman.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.