Please join us in prayer for Rev. Steve Hundley, his wife Becky and their family in the loss of their daughter, Sarah. Rev. Hundley serves the Mizpah and Shepherds congregations on the Mission Rivers District.
Sarah French Hundley, 35, died on Friday, May 22, 2026, following an unexpected medical event. Born in Hampton, Virginia, on April 4, 1991, Sarah was the third child of four. She was a beloved aunt, daughter, sister, and granddaughter. She is remembered for her warm and welcoming soul, quick wit, and deeply held belief in love and equality for all.
Sarah was raised in Lynchburg, Virginia, and Roanoke, Virginia, where she graduated from Hidden Valley High School in 2009. She studied English at the University of Mary Washington and received a Bachelor’s degree in May 2015. Sarah had a lifelong passion for helping others. She traveled extensively in mission work, beginning in high school with Voices of Youth and in college with Students Helping Honduras. After college, Sarah served as a missionary with the United Methodist Church and moved to Oklahoma City to serve underprivileged youth as a US-2 missionary. Sarah continued to serve others during her time working for Boys and Girls Club in Warrenton, Virginia. Most recently, Sarah went back to school in pursuit of an advanced degree program and a career in counseling. Sarah, who was deeply committed to her own personal growth, wanted to help others overcome their own struggles. Sarah’s commitment to helping others was a daily practice for her. Even when she had little, she gave as much as (or more than) she could. Sarah’s generosity, easy laugh, fangirl energy, and welcoming spirit grew her a community built on love and support—a community that Sarah thrived in; a community that suddenly feels the devastating absence of her joy and enthusiasm.
Sarah was preceded in death by her grandparents, Mary Lou and Clyde Hundley, and her uncle, Rev. Jim Hundley. She is survived by her parents, Rev. Dr. Stephen and Rebecca Hundley, her grandparents, Rev. Dr. John and Barbara Tate, her siblings, Leslie Shaver (Daniel Shaver), Rachel Hundley, and Stewart Hundley (AmyJo Foreman), her most treasured niece, CaraLee James Howdyshell, and numerous other aunts, uncles, and cousins. Sarah is also survived by her incredible chosen family that included many, many friends from all parts of her life and online community with whom she shared smiles and laughter.
The family will receive friends and loved ones on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Tappahannock Memorial United Methodist Church, 345 Earl Street, Tappahannock, Virginia 22560. A service in celebration of Sarah’s life will be held at Tappahannock Memorial United Methodist Church, 345 Earl Street, Tappahannock, Virginia 22560, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Sarah’s family asks that donations be made in her memory to some of the causes that Sarah fought so passionately for, including The Trevor Project, Planned Parenthood, or your local library. Condolences can be sent to 399 Pond View Street, Tappahannock, VA 22560-5059.