It is a cool fall day in 1948, and the Wake Forest College football stadium is at full capacity and buzzing with anticipation in seeing their team take the field. But then, out of the stadium underground appears a beautiful Majorette, leading the marching band. She is strutting with high kicks, twirling her baton over her head and finally tossing it high in the air and catching it.
Sara Page Jackson Lewis of Wilmington, whose enthusiasm and happy spirit was symbolized by her flaming red hair, passed away January 19, 2021 in Wilmington, NC. During her four years as Chief Majorette at Wake Forest College, she brought fans on both sides to their feet as she strutted onto the football field ahead of the band, and during halftime shows.
Sara Page was born February 7, 1930 to the late William Cleveland Jackson and Bessie Lassiter Jackson in Elizabeth City. One of her main joys as a young girl was being the Chief Majorette in the Elizabeth City High School Band, and being aware that she was raising people’s spirits at each performance. She led the band down 5th Avenue and in Madison Square Garden in New York City during her senior year in high school.
She continued her performing when she arrived at Wake Forest. Her senior year, 1952, she was elected May Queen, “Miss Demon Deacon”, Secretary to the Student Body, and to “Who’s Who among Students in American Colleges”. Following graduation, she served two terms on the Wake Forest University Board of Trustees, on the Alumni Council and was active with the Mecklenburg County Wake Forest Alumni Association.
Sara Page married her college sweetheart, Dr. Jack Lewis, and they lived in Charlotte, where she enjoyed taking part in all of her three sons’ school and church activities, as well as their tennis tournaments, and was proud of each one’s accomplishments. She served as President of the Selwyn Elementary and Myers Park High School PTA’s. As a longtime member of St. John’s Baptist Church, she served two terms on the Board of Deacons, and always sang in the church choir. From 1986 to 2003, Sara Page had worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Development Office of Davidson College and lived on Lake Norman at Davidson.
Her former husband, and her sisters, Kathleen, Gwen and Ruth Frances Jackson, predeceased her. Surviving are her three sons, Drew Lewis, (Peggy) of Charlotte; Paul Lewis, of Eugene, Oregon; and Miles Lewis, (Carla) of Wilmington; grandchildren: Jason Lewis (Cody) of Fuquay-Varina; Ashley (Greg) Marin of Weddington; Roman and Moss Lewis of Wilmington; Lexa Lewis of Eugene, Oregon; Margaret Grace and Hunter Marshall of Charlotte: great-grandchildren, Tyler and Madelyn (Scott) Counts of Rock Hill, SC, Erika Colquitt of Weddington, and Tanner and Carson Lewis of Fuquay-Varina.
Due to Covid restrictions, a memorial service will be held at a future announced date in the Chapel at Harry & Bryant.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the St. John’s Baptist Church Endowment Fund, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204 or to the Wake Forest University Music Department, 7526 Reynolda Station, Winston-Salem, NC 27109.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 23 in the Chapel at McEwen Funeral Home at Myers Park, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. Friends will be received following the service.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 24 in the Old Hollywood Cemetery, 1101 Peartree Road, Section 6, Lot 22, Elizabeth City, NC. Friends will be received following the service.
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