Sallie McSwain Ausley

Sallie McSwain Ausley was an absolutely beautiful woman inside and out. She passed peacefully on August 1, 2026, surrounded by family who loved her dearly. She was raised in Arcadia, Florida as the youngest of three McSwain sisters. Her dad was a Harvard educated doctor in Arcadia, FL and her mom was the lifelong organist at the historic downtown First Presbyterian Church. A graduate of DeSoto High School, Sallie was the FFA Sweetheart before following her sisters to FSU. She was a voice major at FSU College of Music and a proud member of the Chi Omega Sorority. In her senior year at FSU, she met Tallahassee native Duby Ausley, and they fell in love. Duby and Sallie were married in December 1962. In the next 9 years, Sallie had 3 children and became an important part of the Tallahassee community as a wife, a mom, and a very active community volunteer. She served as a substitute teacher and a very active member of the Junior League of Tallahassee. In the 70s she learned about CPR which was a very new lifesaving technique, and she became one of the first certified to teach others how to save lives. Sallie was always the life of the party, and music was one of her lifelong gifts. She toured with Fred Waring, sang professionally as part of the TCC Artist series, and contributed to multiple Loonies productions for the Junior League. She also had a remarkable ability to compose music and create original songs for friends’ birthdays, community skits, and special occasions. In 1980, she chaired and starred in the Junior League’s Capital Capers, a music and comedy production at Ruby Diamond Auditorium featuring more than 200 members, including elected officials and community leaders. Later that year, Sallie was named Tallahassee Woman of the Year. She was also recognized as Volunteer of the Year. In 1998, Sallie and Sylvia Ochs were founders of the Red Hills Horse Trials which became one of the most important events in Tallahassee – bringing horses and riders from all over the world to compete in a three-day event that became a qualifier for the US Olympics. She was a strong supporter of the FSU College of Music and very involved in the Carlisle Floyd Centennial event earlier this year. Sallie gave so much to this community for many years. She has been a member of Faith Presbyterian Church since 1964 and was a long-time member of the choir. As a mother, she was always there to support her children in their sports, performances, and special events. She traveled across the country for Allison and Loranne’s horse shows and Dan’s water-ski tournaments. As a grandmother, “Mimi” contributed to musical performances and attended sporting events, music recitals and concerts, theater productions, and robotics competitions for her beloved grandchildren. Sallie was present, enthusiastic, and always their biggest cheerleader. She is predeceased by her parents, Gordon and Lewellyn McSwain, her in laws, Charles and Loranne Ausley, her sister Lew Brandes, and her sisters in law Anne Lee Heaton and Nancy Hannon. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Charles DuBose Ausley, their three children Loranne Ausley (Bill Hollimon), Dan Ausley (Kelley Ausley), and Allison Ausley Monroe (Dave Monroe). She was affectionately known as Mimi to her grandchildren, Savannah Ausley, Maya Ausley, Alexa Ausley, Caroline Monroe, Will Hollimon and Henry Monroe, and a host of nieces and nephews. A celebration of Sallie’s life is scheduled for 11:00AM on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Faith Presbyterian Church with a reception immediately following in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the charity of your choice. Rocky Bevis and Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) are assisting the Ausley family with their arrangements.

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Sallie McSwain Ausley

June 24, 1940 - August 1, 2026