Sara Beth Hendricks, 88 years old, peacefully passed away at her Springfield, MO home on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024. Sara’s engaging personality, lifetime service to others, and zest for life will always be remembered by those who knew and loved her.

Sara was born on April 6th, 1936, in Halltown, MO to Linden Wan and Esther R (Fuller) Hendricks. Though she was an only child, her physical proximity to aunts, uncles, and cousins provided relationships as close as siblings. Sara had a good relationship with her parents and often spoke of the vacations they shared together growing up.

After graduating from Missouri State University, she was hired as the first kindergarten teacher in Sullivan, MO. Upon retirement, she was teaching the grandchildren of her original students. On her return to southwest MO, she substituted in the Branson and Springfield schools. She loved to teach and worked hard to improve her skills. Her daughters both used materials she had saved over the years in their teaching experiences.

Sara worked jobs outside of education, wrapping cheese at Kraft, helping campers at KOA in Sullivan, selling souvenirs at the Gingham Goose and tickets at Ride the Duck in Branson, and serving where needed at Bass Pro in Springfield.

Sara was an active member of the Sullivan, Branson, and Springfield, MO churches she attended. She served in every capacity in children’s ministries. Especially memorable was her participation in Bible School, VBS, Halloween parties, Christmas programs, and Easter egg hunts. She volunteered many years collecting money, purchasing food, and distributing the food at the Council of Churches food pantry. Sara also regularly donated blood to the Red Cross.

Sara and her daughters were particularly close, annual trips to Big Cedar Lodge, Branson shows, shopping, Silver Dollar City, and trips to Graceland were highlights. Sara and Beth had fun traveling to Hawaii, Europe, and FL (winter months). Sara and Jill enjoyed playing golf together, seeing movies, sharing meals, and shopping together.

Sara was always an available grandmother to her two grandsons and granddaughter-in-law. She made countless long trips to Omaha, NE to attend school, sports, and music events including an amazing trip to NYC with Beth and Luke to see Garett perform in his high school orchestra in the record-breaking heat of an outdoor concert. Her generosity included weekend hospitality for Garett and Jen while they attended Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO. She was an enthusiastic participant in all theme park rides, even the scary ones, including Disney, Universal, Bush Gardens, and Silver Dollar City.

Sara remained in contact with her many uncles, aunts, and cousins throughout her lifetime. She attended family birthday, anniversary, and holiday parties, weddings, and school events. She loved sending postcards.

Sara’s many passions included golf, jigsaw puzzles, bingo at the Senior Center, reading books and newspapers, tv watching, aquatic exercise, travel, all things ELVIS, the North Carolina Tar Heels (Roy Williams), the Men’s College World Series, MO State University basketball, FL dog racing, the Chiefs, the St. Louis, and Springfield Cardinals.

Her youngest daughter, Jill, became her full-time caregiver in the last few years and did everything possible to ensure Sara’s time on earth was fun and meaningful. Jill’s husband, Matt was available for countless projects necessary for Sara’s comfort and safety. Matt and Greg, (Beth’s husband) were both supportive of the time the three women shared together.

Surviving Sara are her two daughters, Beth (Greg) Medlin of Green City, MO, and Jill (Matt) Sellmeyer of Springfield, MO, two grandsons, Garett (Jen) Medlin and Luke Medlin both of Omaha, NE, many family members, friends, and neighbors.

The family would like to thank the following agencies and caregivers for their invaluable service, support, and encouragement during the last few months and moments of Sara’s earthly life: Darlene Deckard (favorite private caregiver), Access Hospice Care (Misty, Rachelle, Jack), Sutton In-Home Senior Care, and Visiting Angels.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, 3540 Seminole Street, Springfield, MO followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:30 a.m.