Sarah Elizabeth Redford, a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away Saturday, Aug. 24, at the age of 88, at her home in Tabiona, Utah, with her family by her side.
Her loving husband and soul mate had recently passed away on June 2, and her poor, broken heart just could not heal from the loss of her sweetheart.
Sarah was born on July 17, 1931, in Lancaster, South Carolina, to Minnie Lee Garris Neely and John Dewey Neely. When she was a young girl, she would help her mother take care of all of her younger siblings while her mom worked in the cotton mill. When Sarah was 16, she, too, started working in the cotton mill, pulling cotton to help out her family.
Sarah has always been a very hard worker and devoted her whole life to taking care of her family. One day, her cousin Charles was on leave from the Navy and brought his good friend and Navy buddy Neil home with him. At first, Charles thought he would introduce him to Sarah’s sister but then when Neil laid his eyes on Sarah, his heart was hooked.
Sarah married Neil Larsen Redford on Oct. 22, 1953, in Charleston, South Carolina. They lived in South Carolina for a few short years, then packed up their family and moved to Utah, where they made their forever home.
They were married for an amazing 65 wonderful years — they truly were each other’s soul mates.
After she was married, she never worked outside of the home; her main interest and focus was taking care of her husband and family. Sarah was a unique, one-of-a-kind, giving person. She always made sure she had a hot meal on the table for her family or whoever was visiting in her home; you would never leave her home hungry, she made sure of it.
She would literally give the shirt off her back if someone needed it. She never put herself before anyone else, she always put her family’s wants and needs before her own. She was the most kind and gentle soul on earth, with very Christ-like actions. She had the most loving, warm heart that was full of so much love for her husband, children and grandchildren — and let’s not forget her little dogs.
Sarah raised eight children and helped raise many of her grandchildren. You were always welcome and felt very loved in her home. Even a complete stranger would be considered loved and part of her family. She will always be our little southern belle and amazing example.
She had eight children, 30 grandchildren, 79 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Sarah is survived by her children, Marty (Steve) Deru of Evanston, Robin (Jim) Braddock of Layton, Utah, Terry (Lee) Quillinan of Evanston, Shirley Robinson (Mike Jeter) of Duchesne, Utah, Kathy (Gary) Thompson of Bear River and Mindy (Travis) Clegg of Duchesne, Utah.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Neil Larsen Redford Sr.; sons, Neil Larsen Redford Jr. and David William Redford Sr.; grandsons, Bobby Braddock and Neil Larsen Redford III; and great-grandson, Memphis Redford.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Tabiona chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where a viewing will also be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Burial at the Tabiona Cemetery.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please donate to help with funeral expenses to Hullinger Mortuary.
Condolences may be shared at www.hullingermortuary.com.
