Sarah Louise Gilless

Sarah Louise (Morrow) Gilless, age 95 of Hobbs, New Mexico, drew her last breath on December 12, 2025, while in the hospital in Hobbs, New Mexico. Living longer than most, she succumbed to the effects of aging after a beautiful life of giving, sharing, and taking care of others.

Sarah, “Lou” to many, was born on June 17, 1930, to Glenn and Lena (Shelley) Morrow in Green Ridge, Missouri.

She was known for being a loving, caring person with a kind word always at the ready. She was a tender hearted, family-oriented woman who truly practiced kindness towards all people.

Sarah is survived by her four children, Toni Gilless, Vance Gilless, Becky Gordon, and Felicia Hicks, seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, one brother-in-law, 10 nieces and nephews and numerous grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

She grew up in Green Ridge, Missouri where she lived on the family farm with her parents and two wonderful sisters, Patricia and Shelley, both who have preceded her in death. She always spoke fondly of her childhood and the multitude of relatives who were nearby. She went to college in Murray, Kentucky where she received her bachelor’s degree in music education. She was a member of Iota Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity. While at college, she met Vance Gilless whom she married on December 16, 1950, in Corinth, Mississippi.

Sarah and Vance moved to Hobbs, NM in the early 1950s where she taught private music lessons in flute, violin, piano and other instruments until she was 90 years of age. Many of her students went to the All-State Music Festival in New Mexico. She used her income to supplement the family income and to do nice things for her kids. Over the decades she performed in numerous musical performances on flute or violin including community orchestras, symphonic bands, and musical plays. She served in her church as a deaconess and as the pianist for the hymns and other special music performances.

After she was widowed in February of 2000, Sarah continued to be the strength of her family, providing love and help to her children who all agree that she was the best mother anyone could ever have. Having grown up on a farm with two sisters and no brothers, she was a hard worker and did many things herself rather than calling for help. Her kids finally told her not to go up and patch the roof anymore when she was in her 80s. It was difficult for her to lose her ability to do physical things in recent years, since she really wanted to get around and take care of other people in need. She never lost that desire, an example we can all hope to follow.

Sarah was not only a wonderful mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend, she was the kind of person we should all strive to be. She bore no malice and always wished the best for everyone. Everywhere she went, the world became a better place.

No memorial service is planned, however you may watch a 40 minute video of Sarah’s life you may watch on YouTube or right below, titled "Remembering Sarah Louise Morrow Gilless".

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in her name to The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, as she was dedicated to music education her whole life. Please go to https://slso.org/donate/ to make a donation. You may choose “other” for your own amount. Below the donation is a dedication section. Please dedicate it to Sarah Gilless and check the box to send an acknowledgement to rlyngordon@gmail.com and the family will be advised of those who have chosen to give.