Sally Mae Creel

Sally Mae Beasley Creel, 64, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, passed away unexpectedly at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery on Sunday, October 15th, 2023, at 1:32 AM. A celebration of Sally's life will be held at 3 PM on Saturday, October 28th, at the Luverne Church of Christ with Brother David Noble and Brother Stacy Harrell officiating. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service.

You were fortunate indeed if you wound up with Sally as your nurse, whether it was at Luverne Health & Rehabilitation, Crenshaw Community Hospital, Compassus Hospice, or the local jail because she was born with the innate drive and desire to take care of people. She truly loved her patients and never failed to go above and beyond for them. If she ever saw they had a need, even if it was groceries or a microwave, Sally was going to make sure she did everything she could do to meet that need. She was just so compassionate and empathetic that it is no wonder that both her patients and their families simply adored her...and they were quite vocal about wanting Sally and only Sally! One of the best things about her was that she wasn't just great with her patients but she was also a joy and pleasure to work with. She took many new nurses under her wing to mentor them so that they would have a softer entrance into the nursing field than many others. Her coworkers knew they could always turn to her if they had an issue because they knew she was always willing to listen to them and either offer her best advice or simply allow them an avenue to vent. If everyone were as wonderful to work with as Sally, we all would enjoy our jobs more! The most important thing Sally did during her long career in nursing was with hospice. It takes such a special person to be able to hold up to the stress and loss that comes with that job while also providing compassionate care to both patients and their families who are enduring one of the worst times of their lives. That is why she was so beloved by all of them because no one was better at that than she was.

Sally was just born with a heart of gold. She not only took such excellent care of her patients, but she loved her family, friends, and community with her whole heart. Her kindness and generosity carried over into every relationship she had. You always knew where you stood with Sally too. She might have been one of the sweetest people you'd ever meet, but she was also a straight shooter who didn't sugarcoat things when she dealt with them. She was strong-willed and tenacious when it came to her opinions and values, and loved her family as fiercely as a mama bear. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and she was the rock her family was built upon. There was no position she loved nearly as much as when her children made her "Ninny" to their children and grandchildren. There was no mountain she wouldn't climb for them and they never once doubted how enormous her love was for them. She really enjoyed teaching the little ones to love fishing as much as she did. We can't fail to mention that Sally was also an excellent cook who whipped up magic in the kitchen time and time again. Literally nothing she made wasn't delicious, but there was just something extra special at that dressing! The kids were especially fond of Ninny's cakes. What kind? Any kind they wanted! Let two grandchildren request both a chocolate cake and a strawberry cake in one day and she'd whip them up in no time. No complaints that she was too tired or didn't have time. If her babies wanted those cakes, they were gonna get them. That's a grandmother's love right there and there's nothing more special than that.

You can't mention Sally's love for her family without including her precious puppies. She and Paul had two faithful canine companions, Little Bit and Prissy, who they simply adored beyond measure. She doted on them almost as much as her two-legged family, and she was their world. Sally's passing has not only left a hole within her family, but also within her entire community. She was irreplaceable and genuinely loved by everyone who knew her, so there just aren't enough words to describe how special she was nor how much she will be missed. However, she has left behind not only a treasure trove of memories that will live on in her family, friends, and others, but also such an incredible legacy of what it takes to be an excellent nurse and caregiver. She was a role model for so many and will continue to be for many more years to come. Her loved ones can find comfort in the knowledge that she is no longer in pain, but healthy and whole in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Guy & Ida Mae Broaderway Beasley; siblings, Guynese Eiland, Betty Clark, Edna Horne, and Thomas Beasley; and a special aunt and uncle, Allene & Bud Mount. She is survived by her beloved husband of almost 20 years, Charles Paul Creel; their children, Randi (David) Vincitore, Ricky (Mandy) Laird, Regina Laird, Danielle (Chris) Kelley, and Heather (Scott) Fricker; grandchildren, Hunter (Amber) Owens, Hayley Owens, Ronni Faulk, Jackson Faulk, Tyler (Sydney) Laird, Talyn Laird, Jayden Laird, ShelbyLei Holley, Janie Holley, Renleigh Kelley, Ray Little, and Katlyn (Kolby) Hughes; and great-grandchildren, Emma Jane Owens, Vivian Hughes, Lilith Hughes, and Miss Ella Mae Owens who is currently on her way; sister, Annette Chandler; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.