SARAH ANNE PHILLIPS MCMATH
Wife of Sidney Sanders McMath, 34th Governor (1949-1953)

Born: December 20, 1920
Died: June 1994
Children: five
Original Home: Slate Spring, Mississippi

Sarah Anne Phillips graduated from high school and attended the Mississippi State College for Women but health problems prevented her from finishing. While living in Washington D.C. during WWII she met Sidney Sanders McMath in May 1944. The couple married five months later. In early 1946 the couple moved to Hot Springs with their newborn son and Sid’s son by his first wife.

After her husband was elected Governor, Anne moved with her family to a home in Little Rock. They eventually moved into the home today known as the "Governor's Mansion." They became the first family to occupy this home and much of the First Lady's time was spent getting the house ready for occupancy and setting up operational procedures.

As First Lady, Anne McMath attended public functions with her husband and served as official hostess for gatherings at the Mansion. In addition to such responsibilities, she was raising her young family--their youngest son was born the year Governor McMath came into office. Although her duties as First Lady left little time for other civic interests, she later was president of the Twentieth Century Club and Regent of the Gilbert Marshall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also active with the Churchwomen of Trinity Cathedral, was a volunteer for the State Hospital Auxiliary, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Twentieth Century Hope Lodge.