FULTON - Sally Ashford Monroe died Monday, January 12, 2026, at her home. She was a retired first grade teacher who taught at Natchez, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo and for a majority of her 40 year career at Fulton Grammar School.  She was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi, on August 25, 1933, the second of six children of Charlie and Nan Ashford, but spent most of her youth at 208 North Montgomery in Starkville. After graduating from nearby Starkville High, she attended Mississippi State where she obtained both bachelor's and master's degrees in education. While at State, Sally met her future husband, Curt Monroe, a southpaw who earned All SEC honors pitching for the Diamond Dogs in the mid 1950s.

While Curt fulfilled his draft obligations with the U.S. Army from 1954-56, he and Sally kept in touch while he served in Germany exchanging hundreds of letters. They were married at Starkville Presbyterian Church June 12, 1959 and started a life of jointly serving in education. In June 1961, Curt drove to Fulton and interviewed with ICC President John Crubaugh. Curt was offered the job of head baseball coach and history teacher and for the next six decades together they made Fulton their home until Curt died in 2023. They first lived on campus serving as dorm parents making many friends with fellow staff members and their families. It was a wonderful place to raise their two daughters- Amy and Emilie Nan. Later they moved to Sidney Drive. They joined the Fulton United Methodist Church where she and Curt were members of the Charlie Mae Sunday School Class.

Sally always enjoyed cooking for the family and helping plan the annual Ashford reunion during Thanksgiving holidays in Starkville first at the Methodist Student Center and later at the Baptist Student Center where a large gathering of Ashfords from Mississippi, Illinois, Tennessee and Georgia needed to be fed.

Gatlinburg was a special place for the Ashford and Monroe families. Many summers were spent enjoying the mountains and all they had to offer. The family especially enjoyed picnicking in the Greenbriar area where Curt would grill hot dogs and hamburgers while the kids and later grandkids would wade into the Little Pigeon River. One of the fond memories of Gatlinburg was when the grandkids would spend weeks during the summers at Camp Honey and Papa as Sally and Curt were known to the grandkids.

Sally was known for being a dedicated teacher having taught several generations of families in Fulton. Although compassionate and kind, she was known to instill discipline in her students when needed. Many stories have been shared with the family over the years about having Miss Sally as their teacher.

Besides being a member of Fulton United Methodist, Sally enjoyed being a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Pilot Club of Fulton and Delta Kappa Gamma. Later in life she enjoyed estate sales and collecting antiques. She also looked forward to Facetiming her kids and grandkids especially so she could see her only great grandchild.

Sally and Curt were faithful Bulldog fans being both season ticket holders for football and baseball until their health prevented them from attending in person. When they were unable to attend in person with their friends in the M Club, you can bet they were watching every televised Bulldog sporting event with a cowbell nearby.

She is survived by her daughters Amy Agee (Mike) of Germantown and their children- Ryan (Margaret and great granddaughter Jeanne), Marianne and Sam; Emilie Nan English (Brock) of Tupelo and their two sons- Curt and Charlie; sisters Pat Johnson and Hanna White (Bill); brother Pepper Ashford (Carol); sister in law Em Ashford and dozens of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Charlie Ashford; and her brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Jacque Ashford.

The family wishes to thank her dedicated caregivers Donna Upton and Lynn Bennett who cared for Sally for several years and for all her friends and former fellow teachers who made her final years memorable ones.

Pallbearers will be her sons-in-law and grandsons.

The family asks in lieu of flowers any memorials be made to French Camp Academy 1 Fine Place French Camp Academy, MS 39745, Itawamba Crossroads Ranch 716 Airport Road Fulton, MS 38843 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

A visitation will be held Saturday, January 17, at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Fulton beginning at 11:00 a.m. followed by funeral service at noon. Burial will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Starkville. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home is honored to be in charge of the arrangements.