Sarah F. Bartholomew, 42 of New Boston, Illinois, died Thursday, July 9, 2026 at her home. The Celebration of Life for Sarah will be held at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, where the family will greet friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, July 16. Memorials may be made to the McRae Family for her children. Speer Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Sarah Frances was born on December 18, 1983, in Peoria, Illinois, to Leo “Lee” Murphy and Ann LaDue. Sarah was a 2002 graduate of Aledo High School. She cherished her long-term relationship with Johnnie McRae as they raised three children together.
Sarah was currently employed with Dollar General in Aledo where she worked as an assistant manager. In her spare time, she loved being outside fishing and trying to garden, even if it didn’t turn out. Sarah was always found to be listening to music from the Oldies to Country to Rock N’ Roll. She loved all animals, especially her cats, doing crafts, making garlic spaghetti, and spending her time cleaning. Sarah could see the best in all and loved to be helpful to everyone, especially her children whom she cherished.
Sarah is survived by her children, Tyler McRae, Jaiden LaDue and Macoy Green, and Hailey McRae; a grandchild lovingly expected; father and stepmother, Lee and Donna Murphy; stepfathers, Scott Guyton and Perry Bradley; siblings, Ben Murphy and Stacey Murphy-Miller; and step-siblings, Tomika, Erica, Michael, and Jonathon. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ann LaDue-Bradley; and grandparents, Steve and Fran Murphy and Tom and Ellen LaDue.