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“A life well lived”

Sara Fagan Cutler, 88, of Washington, NC passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

Sara Louise Fagan was born on February 15, 1936, in Burlington, NC, to Leo Frank Fagan and Beatrice Hiott Fagan.

In June of 2024 she and Maurice Cutler, the love of her life, celebrated 63 years of marriage.  Together they shared a life of love and devotion.

Sara was a graduate of Greensboro High School in 1954, and went on to graduate from Mars Hill Junior College in 1956 and then Meredith College in 1958 with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics.

Sara dedicated her life to teaching and helping others.  Her first job after college was in Wayne County as an Assistant Home Extension Agent and 4-H Club director in 1959. After her marriage, she and Maurice followed the tobacco markets for his job with RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company.  In 1964, they settled in Washington, NC. Sara took a job as the nutritionist for the Beaufort County Schools in 1967.  For over 25 years, she worked tirelessly to introduce new items to the school lunch menus and teach children about good nutrition.  She was a speaker at national conventions about the work she was doing in Beaufort County.  While continuing her work with the schools, she decided to follow in the footsteps of her mother by opening Sara’s Book Shop in downtown Washington in 1975.  She loved being a part of the community as a small business owner for four years. When she retired, she again followed Maurice to the tobacco markets.  After Maurice retired, the two of them started a catering business for community and private events where her passion for cooking and entertaining talents were highly sought after in the community.  She also used her knowledge of entertaining to create striking spaces for wedding and reception settings primarily at the Washington Yacht and Country Club. Sara had a love for games of all descriptions, this love led to her creating a card playing group for ladies that met monthly also at the Club.  She was a member of the Washington Park Garden Club where she shared her talent creating plant and floral arrangements which were enjoyed by everyone.  Sara loved music and joined a small group of friends that would entertain the residents of River Trace by playing the keyboard and singing.

In 2001, Sara joined the First Methodist Church in Washington.  She taught Sunday School there and was a co- leader for the Circle of Love. She volunteered her time to work tirelessly on the annual Fall Fling fundraiser for several years helping to organize the many moving pieces and parts to make it successful. Her strong Christian faith was a huge part of her daily life as she would donate her time and energy to help others in the community.

Sara’s love extended to her four children, Susan (Jim) Ruane of Cary, NC, Cathy Owens of Washington, Wayne Cutler, and Frank (Leigh) Cutler of Greenville, NC, who remember her as a nurturing soul, always ready with a comforting word or an engaging story. Her eight grandchildren, Elizabeth (Dave) Campbell of Raleigh, NC,  Mary (John) Campbell of Raleigh, Sara (Eric) Clayton of Bath, Alexandra (Walter) Owens of Bath, Kevin (Elizabeth) Cutler of Benson, Christopher Cutler of Fuquay-Varina, Reese Cutler of Greenville, NC and Riley Cutler of Greenville, NC, and her six great grandchildren Hunter Davis, Madison Davis, Walter Cahoon IV, Maverick Cutler, Archer Cutler, and Avery Campbell, will carry her legacy of kindness and joy.

Predeceased by her parents and her brother Richard, Sara’s memory will be cherished and kept alive by her husband Maurice, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and a community that was better for her presence.

Services to honor and celebrate the life of Sara Fagan Cutler will be held on Tuesday, August 27.  There will be family visitation in the parlor of the First Methodist Church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. immediately followed by the church service at First Methodist Church, located at 304 W. Second Street, Washington, NC. Following the service, Sara’s family will be in the Prayer Garden of the church.

‍Her grandsons Kevin and Christopher Cutler, Reese Cutler, great grandson Hunter Davis and nephews Jay and Mark Cutler, and Robert Cutler will be honorary pallbearers.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Cutler family.