Sara W. Herndon passed away on May 27 at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida. She had been a resident there since suffering a stroke in November of 2005. She was the widow of Thomas G. Herndon.Born in Birmingham, AL on November 6, 1922, she attended Huntingdon College before her marriage in 1943. Sara and Tom had been residents of Gainesville since the late 1940's. After 30 years of service, Sara retired from the Soil Conservation Service and became a realtor for a number of years. Sara and her husband were early members of First Baptist Church of Gainesville.She was an artist and an active member of the Gainesville Fine Arts Association. In 2006 she was awarded a Life Membership for her service to that organization. Sara was the founder of the The Thornebrook Village Art Show. Her other awards were many, including Best In Show as well as many blue ribbons for her art.She was preceded in death by her sister, Vivian W. Malone of Lyman, South Carolina. She is survived by her niece, Marisue Gray and her husband, Mike of Lyman, SC and two great-nephews, Jeff Gray and family of Milledgeville, GA and Glen Gray and family of Roanoke, VA.The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the nurses and CNA's at Oak Hammock. Haven Hospice had been attending Sara since December 2011 and their care and concern knew no bounds. Please make memorial contributions to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606.A Memorial Service will be held at the Chapel at Oak Hammock, 5100 SW 25th Blvd, on Friday, June 1, 2012 at 10:30 AM. Funeral Home Forest Meadows Funeral Home 725 NW 23rd Avenue Gainsville FL - 32609 US 352-378-2528