Sara Fentress Humphreys

Sara Fentress Humphreys died Saturday evening, November 6, 2021, in her home surrounded by family and caregivers. Please join us for a celebration of her life on Thursday, November 11, at 12:00 pm, at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church (1300 Columbus Avenue, Waco, Texas). The family will host a visitation on Wednesday, November 10, 4:00-6:00 pm, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. A private family burial at Oakwood Cemetery will precede the celebration of life. Sara was born September 2, 1936, to Harlon Morse Fentress and Clara Lacy Fentress in Waco, Texas. She attended Sanger Elementary and graduated from Waco High School in 1954. The following years were some of her fondest, as she pledged Pi Beta Phi and made The University of Texas her “stomping grounds.” Sara met her love and future husband, Eddy Humphreys at a Kappa Sigma Fraternity Party. The two were married August 31, 1956 and they settled in on Austin Avenue as she completed her senior year, graduating from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Sara and Eddy welcomed Laurie in 1959, and with another on the way, they purchased a lot “way out by the lake” and built their home on Westover Road. Margaret arrived in 1963 followed by Lee in 1971. There was something very special about Westover Road - plenty of progeny, a good bit of comedy, but most importantly; “you better get home in time for supper”. After Eddy’s death in 1989, she married Bill Warren of Houston and retained her residence with him on Westover. They enjoyed 29 years together. Sara found great peace in her connection and devotion to God and Church. God provided nature’s palette and it was always the inspiration behind her creativity. Her legacy and love of art hangs on her children’s walls and scads of others throughout Texas. “Let’s go out and dig in the dirt” (also known as therapy) meant just that, in the most “down to earth” way. Her well-tended garden was perennially in full-bloom and brought loads of pure joy. She loved her garden so much that she ordered more compost, and fertilizer to kill any garden, but hers flourished and thrived. “You know giving is a privilege, so let’s give while I’m still alive”. The Fentress Foundation was established in 1956 by her Father, Harlon Morse Fentress. The capacity of philanthropy is infinite, and she instilled this in her children - give, and give generously, and then give some more. Sara was a true-blue genuine friend, a darling mother and grandmother and will forever be remembered for perfecting the “hot water pie crust” that none of her children (nor any caregiver) ever replicated to her liking. For the wisdom, devotion and oversight of Bill Coleman, our hearts are full and deeply grateful. And to her phenomenal caregivers: Gloria Stonum, Debra Garrett, Carol Rhodes and Ashley Carroll - your love and perfect care is genuinely appreciated. The family extends heartfelt thanks to her dearest friends, her amazing doctors and to Waco Providence Hospice - all provided superb care and comfort during a long and difficult struggle with Parkinsons Disease. Sara is survived by her children, Laurie Fentress Humphreys of Austin, Texas, Margaret Cummings and her husband, Corky Bogan Cummings, of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Edward Lee Humphreys, IV of Waco. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Carl Spencer Morse, III of Austin, Texas, Meredith Cummings Wooldridge, of Houston, Texas, Benjamin James Cummings of Playa Vista, California, and Ann Elizabeth Cummings, of Dallas, Texas. Her pallbearers will be Bill Coleman, Ben Cummings, Spencer Morse, John Wooldridge, Hunter Habash, John Johnson, John Mayfield, Keith Ferguson, and J.C. Snead. Ronny Henderson, Mark Schwartze, Hal Whitaker, and Drew Haluska are honorary pallbearers.