Sara Jordan Hoyt, age 96 of Atlanta, died peacefully at her home on September 24, 2021. She was the former Sara Alice Jordan, who was born in Raleigh, NC on December 6, 1924 to Prof. Walter E. Jordan and Helen Thompson Jordan, of Raleigh. She graduated summa cum laude from Duke University in 1946, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.
After college graduation and upon embarking on a teaching career in Winston Salem, NC, she met Atlanta native Fred A. Hoyt, Jr. on a blind date, shortly after his return from overseas service with the U.S. Navy during World War II. After a lengthy one week courtship, they were engaged. ("Things were different after the war," she would explain.) They married the following year, in 1947, with Sara moving to Atlanta and claiming it as her adopted home. Despite the short courtship prior to their engagement, this whirlwind romance resulted in 64 years of happy marriage until Fred’s death in 2011, as well as a legacy of four children, six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, to date.
While Sara and Fred busily raised four children in Atlanta in the 1950s and 1960s, their lives took a significant turn when their oldest son, Frederick Augustus (Gus) Hoyt, III, suffered a serious brain injury in a motorcycle accident in 1964. During the long months and years ahead, Sara took charge and worked tirelessly towards Gus’ recovery. With the help of family and many friends (and other volunteers who became valued friends), Sara oversaw countless hours of “patterning” exercises for Gus to attempt to relearn motor skills in the Hoyts’ basement, affectionately named “Gus’ Gym.” Sara and Fred remained deeply grateful to all who helped during Gus’ therapy. While Gus achieved marked progress in his recovery, he ultimately died in 1983 from these injuries.
Sara and Fred were active supporters of numerous civic and charitable organizations, both in Atlanta and beyond. She was a member of the Cathedral of St. Philip Episopal Church in Atlanta, the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Highlands, NC, the Piedmont Driving Club, Sea Island Club, and a former member of Highlands Country Club. She was previously an active member of the Henrietta Egleston Children’s Hospital Auxiliary (now Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta).
In addition to her parents, her husband Fred, and oldest son Gus, Sara is predeceased by her sister, Margaret Jordan, and brother, Walter E. Jordan, Jr., both of Raleigh. She is survived by her children, Walter Jordan Hoyt, Sr. (Judy) of Atlanta; Dancy Hoyt Wynne (Charlie) of Gainesville, GA; and William Dancy Hoyt (Angie) of Atlanta. Sara was further blessed by her six grandchildren, Sara Wynne Billingsley (Jacob); Polly Hoyt Nance (Ricky); Dr. Walter Jordan Hoyt, Jr. (Alice); Julie Wynne Jones (Bryan); Frederick Augustus (Bo) Hoyt, II; and Dr. Emily Hoyt Maloney (Brendon), and by her nine great-grandchildren: Rush and Lennon Nance; Wynne, Thompson, and Reid Billingsley; Charlie and Hoyt Jones; Henry Maloney; and Adelaide Hoyt. All of her family brought Sara much happiness and pride. In particular, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the special recipients of much grandmotherly love, kindness, and generosity from their beloved “Grand-mere.”
Graveside services will be held at Westview Cemetery on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 1 pm with Dr. Gil Watson officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shepherd Center, Good Samaritan Health Center, Chattahoochee Nature Center, or to a charity of your choice.
The family is also deeply appreciative of the devoted care given by Thelma Davis, Denise Hunte, Verna Nevels, Joycelyn Coleman, Marie Pierre, Priscilla Foster, Somali Rodney, Endia Smith, and other caregivers through Menders over the past years.
