Sarah Elizabeth "Lib" Hudler

Due to the impending bad weather please make note of rescheduled service times.

Sarah Elizabeth Hudler, age 83, a lifelong resident of Ashe County, passed away February 8th at her home in Jefferson following a prolonged illness. “Lib” knew how to love. She fiercely loved her children, her friends, her church, and those she cared for. Lib sacrificed for her children, Buddy and Sarah, was a natural playmate for them in their early years, and forever a protector of their interests. Lib had lifelong friendships – she made friends easily, had many, and was always there for them. “The Wittiest” in Ashe Central’s 1960 graduating class, Lib loved to have fun. She was known for her outrageous and unfiltered humor, often at her own expense, and the laughter that she brought to her world. She worked as a manager at White Star and Sky City, recognized by upper management for her skills at serving the public. She didn’t know a stranger, making it a point to speak to everyone, often at length, whether she knew them or not, and left no question unasked. She loved her church, as a devoted member of Smethport United Methodist Church, where she sang with “The Sojourners”, lustily and with good courage. Lib had a heart for giving. She was proud of her time on watch in the early years of her step-grandchildren, William and Lucas Miller. She was a devoted caregiver for the sick and dying, cherished by families for her reliability and compassion. Her legacy is her unabashed love. 

Lib was preceded in death by her daughter, Sarah Sanders, her parents Arthur and Carrie Hamby Hudler, her brothers Howard, Herman, Harold and James Hudler, and sister Dorothy (Dot) Phillips. She is survived by her son Buddy Mash of Jefferson, Sister Naomi James of Concord, NC, son-in-law Wade Sanders of West Jefferson, sister-in-law Frances Hudler of Statesville, and beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Funeral services will be held at Jefferson United Methodist Church on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 12:00 noon.  A reception and celebration to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will follow in Obids Baptist Church Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Obids Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Karin Bare, 1325 Old Obids Road, West Jefferson, NC, 28694.

 The family wishes to express gratitude to her church family, her friends, Medi Home Hospice, Sharon Jordan and the medical community of Ashe County for their loving care.