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It is with great sadness that the family of Sarah Alice Hughes Stephens, 83, of Washington, North Carolina announces her passing on Thursday, April 1, 2021 after a long battle with dementia. In her death, she was surrounded by her loved ones as she would have wanted it to be. 

She was born on December 31, 1937 in Hippo, Kentucky. Sarah moved to Washington, NC in June 1971 with her late husband Von and her three daughters, Kim, Carolyn and Anita. Sarah moved to Mebane, NC in 1991 with her second husband, Charles Best. Sarah moved back to Washington more recently and her family has cherished the time they have been able to spend with her. Sarah was a member of First United Methodist Church in Washington, NC and Lighthouse Church in Mebane, NC. Sarah was a wonderful caregiver and took care of people her whole life. She was a loving caregiver to her seven brothers and sisters, her late husband, Von who suffered an early death from a long illness and her late husband, Charles, her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren and to many children through her in-home daycare she ran for many years. Sarah was the ultimate hostess. Her house was a place for long loving visits and good food. Sarah loved the kitchen, and she was always cooking a hot meal. Her favorite thing was visiting with family and friends. She liked to garden and take care of her dogs, especially her special companion Skip, and chickens that were pets to her. She lived a beautiful and simple life. 

Sarah is survived by her three beloved daughters, Kimberly Mayo and husband, Horace, Carolyn Walker and husband, Randy and Anita Cutler all of Washington, NC. Her grandchildren, Christopher Walker and wife, Sarah of Raleigh, NC, Jennifer Walker of Washington, NC, Dylan Cutler and fiancé, Kaitlyn of Washington, NC, Ace Mayo and wife, Jamie of Wrightsville Beach, NC, Felisha Lang and husband, Ralf of Kitty Hawk, NC, Natalie Deak and husband, Casey of Raleigh, NC. Her great grandchildren Hattie and Beatrice Walker, Lawton and Hance Mayo, Lars and Sven Lang and Lottie and Mackenzie Deak. Her siblings James Hughes of San Francisco, Melvin Hughes and wife, Judi of Sun Lakes, Arizona, Ray Hughes and wife, Karen of Pheonix, AZ, Patti Kaler and husband, Nick of Chandler, Arizona, Shirley Crisp and husband, Ottis and nephew, Brad, of Chocowinity, NC, sister-in-law Joyce Hughes of Davie, Florida, and her special caretaker Vanessa James. 

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband and father to her daughters, Von Stephens, who lived in Washington, NC, and Charles Best, her second husband and they lived in Mebane, NC , her father, Marion Hughes, mother, Hattie Hughes, her brother Jobie Hughes and sister, Fay Staller.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday April 6th at Oakdale Cemetery at 11:00 AM, officiated by David Hopkins. Walker Funeral Homes will serve the family. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to Beaufort County’s Betsy Bailey Nelson Animal Shelter. Donations will be used to offset adoption fees. Please call 252-946-4517 for information on how to make a donation or send memorial contributions to 3931 US Hwy 265 East, Washington, NC 27889.

Online condolences may be directed to www.walkerfh.net

Walker Funeral Home of Williamston is serving the Stephens family.