Sara Watlington Gunter

Sara Lou Watlington Gunter, age 99 and 352 days, died at Croasdaile Village Pavilion on May 29, 2026. She was born in Caswell County, NC on June 11th, 1926 to the late Julius Spencer Watlington and Laura Mae Jones Watlington.

Sara was a graduate of Bartlett Yancey High School. After graduation, she worked for five years as the linotype operator for The Caswell Messenger newspaper, under the editorship of Mr. Erwin Stephens. She married William A. (Bill) Gunter on April 24th, 1949. In 1954, they moved to Durham. She was employed with the Seeman Printery of Durham for nearly a decade and later retired from the Graduate Admissions office at UNC- Chapel Hill. She was a past member of the Chapel Hill Historical Society and attended Stonecroft Ministries events for many years. Sara cherished her family, both immediate and extended and spent as much time as possible with them. She was also an avid traveler, visiting many parts of the US, as well as Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Morocco.

Her love for Jesus started as a young child where she walked a quarter mile to Sunday School and Church every Sunday. As a young adult, she and her Pastor, Rev. Herman Womeldorf, began an outpost Sunday School in Caswell County which later became Oakview Presbyterian Church. Sara was a charter member of Parkwood United Methodist church where she was active for over 60 years and a past member of the Seeker’s Sunday School class.

In January of 2023, Sara became a resident of Croasdaile Village Retirement community where she lived her last remaining years. She enjoyed activities and loved her new friends and caregivers while living at the Orchard Assisted Living, and the Pavilion. She was well known at Croasdaile for her pretty smile, blue eyes, and fondness for singing hymns. Sara’s family would also like to thank the Duke Hospice team for their great care during Sara’s final weeks.

Sara is survived by her daughter Carol Berler (Richard), her son, Will Gunter (Kelly), her grandchildren Allison Hodges, and Brian Hodges (Emily), great-grandchildren Ellie, Burch, and Paxton Hodges, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Bill Gunter, her daughter Laurie Gunter Hodges, her brother Neal Watlington, her sisters, Dorothy Stogner, Betty Watlington, Jacksie Crossman, Nancy Bryant, and Helen Jean Watlington, a niece, Ann Bryant, and nephews Larry Stogner, Keith Stogner, and Kent Bryant.

A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, June 4th, 2026 at 12 Noon at Parkwood United Methodist Church, located at 5123 Revere Rd, Durham, NC, 27713 with the Rev. Adam Benson officiating. Preceding the service will be visitation with the family at 11:00 AM. Following the service, a committal service and burial will take place at Maplewood Cemetery in Durham. A reception following the burial will take place at Parkwood UMC.

Flowers may be sent to Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham, NC. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Parkwood United Methodist Church at Serve - Parkwood United Methodist Church or to the Croasdaile Village Benevolent Care Annual Fund at the following online address: umrh.org/donate-online.