Sarah C. Caudill

Sarah Russ Caudill, 88, a resident of Montgomery, AL, passed away peacefully surrounded by family. Sarah was raised in Bloomington, IN and earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University. She began her career as a home economics teacher in central Indiana where she met her husband of almost 50 years, Ray Caudill. Their life together included many relocations related to Ray’s career. However, Sarah found teaching positions at each stop and poured into many students across the country. They lived near Washington D.C., Dayton, OH, and finally Montgomery, AL. She enjoyed organizing block parties, Ray’s work parties, her daughter’s birthday parties, and parties to welcome new neighbors. She believed good and proper entertaining is a most important art. She sold Avon cosmetics and Tupperware and won awards with both ventures.

Ray and Sarah had one child together, Lisa Rae. She wanted Lisa to have everything she could not have when she was little, having lived through The Great Depression. As a result, Lisa had a wonderful childhood with plenty of everything. Sarah also made Lisa’s dress clothes as she wanted her to look like a page from a magazine, and she did. When Lisa grew up, they had a wonderful friendship that cannot be replaced. They were sweet friends and shopping buddies. They talked everyday; she loved to hear all the stories from Lisa’s workday.

Another well known fact is Sarah was a faithful, proud, and lifelong Indiana University basketball fan. You could challenge her basketball knowledge and you would likely lose. But most importantly, you knew to never speak ill of Bobby Knight in her presence. Go Hoosiers!

If these facts were not enough to make a wonderful life, she was a grandmother and a great-grandmother. Jeremy, her grandson, was the source of many stories retold to many people. The pride she had for him overflowed her heart. Jeremy married a beautiful girl, Anna Laura, which made Sarah’s heart grow even more. But then, her great-grandson, Jasper, came along in November 2022 and Sarah could not believe she lived long enough to meet him. She thought Jasper was beautiful and brilliant. When her health conditions accelerated her decline, she held him one last time and knew she had achieved more than most ever would. In her last days, she prayed to go home and knew how very rich in spirit she was.

Sarah leaves behind her daughter, Lisa Rae Reid, and her husband, James Kenneth Reid; one grandson, Jeremy Kenneth Reid, and his wife, Anna Laura; one great-grandson, Jasper Kenneth Reid; Lisa’s mother-in-law, Robbie Nell Reid (Bob; deceased); Ray’s siblings to include Leonard Caudill and Ruth Williams; and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Caudill; her parents, Scott and Catherine Russ; and her sisters, Isabelle (Ray) Anderson and Virginia (Richard) Folkerth.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the sixth floor of the North Tower at Jackson Hospital along with Baptist Hospice. Both provided excellent care to Sarah during her time of most need. If you would like to contribute donations in her memory, the family encourages you to consider The Jackson Hospital Foundation or The Baptist Health Care Foundation.

A visitation for Sarah will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 9:00 AM at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home, followed by a celebration of life service at 10:00 AM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AlabamaHeritageFH.com for the Caudill family.