Sarah Smith Windley, age 86, of Belhaven, passed away at her home on Dec. 17, 2019.

She was born on April 28, 1933, to Justice and Irene Smith. Sarah graduated from John A. Wilkerson High School in 1951. She was married to her husband, Darrell Windley, Sr., on Feb. 20, 1952, and to this marriage were born five children. Sarah was a member of the Free Union Free Will Baptist Church and she was very active in all aspects of the church. She was a choir member and soloist, as well. She worked alongside her husband as a secretary and bookkeeper for their wholesale meat distributing business. Sarah loved everyone and was a very selfless lady.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Irene Jackson Smith; father, Justice Smith Sr.; husband, Darrell M Windley, Sr.; sister, Jean Smith Verdin; brothers, J.G. Smith Jr. and Bobby Smith; daughters-in-law, Phyllis Harris Windley and Joanne Tilton Windley; and grandson, Richard Tilton.

Sarah is survived by two daughters, Angela Gue and her husband, Rudy, of Chocowinity, Lisa Woolard and her husband, Jeffrey, of Washington; three sons, Ricky Windley, Jr. and his wife, Ginger, of Belhaven, Jeffrey Windley and his wife, Pamela, of Greenville and Paul Windley, of Chocowinity; brother, Joseph Smith, of Swan Quarter. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

The family will receive friends on the evening of Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Free Union Free Will Baptist Church.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, at 11 a.m. at the Free Union Free Will Baptist Church, with Rev. Tony Parrish and Rev. Harold Swinson officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Free Union Free Will Baptist Church, Youth Program, 4961 Free Union Church Road, Pinetown, NC 27865.

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to mom’s caretakers: Barbara, Lyn, Robin and Karen. Without them, Sarah would not have been able to stay at home. The family would also like to thank AseraCare Hospice of Greenville.

Funeral arrangements are by Washington Funeral & Cremation Hillside Chapel of Washington.