Sarah Hartley

Sarah Pauline Toxey Hartley (Nanny) passed away on May 29th, 2025 at 97 years old in Birmingham, AL. Nanny was born in Tuscaloosa County to Omer and Ida Mayebelle Toxey. She was the third of eight surviving children; Bradford Toxey, Alfred Toxey, Imogene Vaughn, Owen Toxey, Martha Stott, Joyce Champion, and Roy Toxey. She married her junior high school sweetheart, Claude Hartley, on August 18th, 1948 in Birmingham, AL. They were married for 72 years on earth.

Nanny was committed to her family and loved deeply. She was often in the kitchen, making chicken and dumplings for her grandchildren to enjoy. Her grandchildren (and great grandchildren) were her greatest joy. While she preferred to stay out of the limelight, she was the heart of everything in her family.

Nanny is preceded in death by her parents, Omer and Ida Mayebelle Toxey, husband Claude, and her daughter, Claudia Hartley McNeely. She is survived by her son-in-law James ("That Jim") McNeely Sr., son Stephen C. Hartley (Wanda), daughters Deborah Hartley Brock (Mike), and Paula Hartley Cheney (Alan) as well as 11 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter; James McNeely Jr (Tasha; Kaitlin, Kaila, Braden, Luke, Dylan; Soleil Kelly-Garcia), Brandon McNeely (Sara), Gavin McNeely, Matthew Hartley, Heather Wadsworth (Jason; Jasmine, Anabelle, Spencer), Ginny DeArmond (Sean), Allison Brock (Keith Parsons), Catherine Cowden (Chase; Breck, Grayson), Elizabeth Scott (Chris), Christine Thomas (Jake; Price, Claire), and Marilyn Miller (William; Tripp).