BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

The wife of a Tampa funeral home co-owner died at a local hospital on Saturday. Her death came after a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Sarah Murray Northern, was married to David Northern, II, co-owner of Ray Williams Funeral Home, for more than 40 years.

In 1991, Jeff Rhodes and Northern became the owners of the funeral home and launched the partnership of Rhodes & Northern. Her daughter, Orathai, said Mrs. Northern was a great supporter of the funeral home.

Rhodes said, “Mrs. Northern was a key administrator and a great supporter of the business.”

Mrs. Northern was a member of College Hill Church of God in Christ and was very involved in the church. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and was very active in that organization as well.

Mrs. Northern completed her education at the University of South Florida and became an employee with the Hillsborough County Public School District. She began her career as an Occupational Specialist in the 1973-74 school year and retired at the end of the 1995-96 school year.

Mrs. Northern earned certification in her field on the Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational level during her career, a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County School District said.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Northern is survived by three children, Davina, David, III, and Orathai; three grandchildren, one great grandchild, other family members and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Northern were incomplete as of press time. Ray Williams Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.