Faye Sundahl (née McCarter), age 83, of Rockford, Tennessee, passed away surrounded by the love of family she cherished so deeply. Faye was one of eight children so caring for others was woven into who she was from childhood, when she helped care for her siblings, through adulthood, when she devoted herself to her many roles as a Christian, matriarch, wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend. She was the epitome of gracious Southern hospitality. She never knew a stranger, and if she learned that someone had no family nearby for the holidays, she welcomed them in as one of her own. Faye’s faith was the foundation of her life. She read her Bible daily and prayed faithfully for her family and friends, and took part in a large national prayer group, lifting up others in need whom she had never even met. She helped raise numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, who affectionately called her “Feefee”, pouring her love and wisdom into generations of her family. Her generosity extended well beyond her own household — she gave freely of her time and resources to Habitat for Humanity of Blount County, where she helped organize yard sales to raise funds for the organization, to Alcoa First United Methodist Church, to Alzheimer’s Tennessee, and to many other worthy causes close to her heart. She would give you the shirt off her back without a second thought, and there are countless people whose lives were touched by her kindness.
In earlier years, Faye, alongside her husband, Jerry, hosted many family gatherings and annual pig roasts, and enjoyed travel to visit friends and family across the United States and Europe. In quieter moments at the family farm, she loved bird watching — her favorite was the red cardinal, for she believed that when cardinals appear, angels are near. Look outside your window — Heaven has a new cardinal now, and she is, no doubt, already ministering to all of us left behind.
Faye is survived by her sons, Tommy Hodge (Joanie) and James Hodge (Anahita); Jerry’s children, Kathy McGinley (Ed) and Jeff Sundahl (Joy); her brother, Frank McCarter (Wanda); her grandchildren, Cara, Alex, Katie, Cristina, Allison, Kirstyn, Baylor, Zachary, Claire, Connor, and Devon; and her great-grandchildren, Olivia, Beckett, Bennett, and Kai. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerry Sundahl, her first husband, Tom Hodge, her parents, and six of her siblings.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Alcoa First United Methodist Church, 617 Gilbert Street, Alcoa, TN, 37701, on Tuesday, September 1st with the service beginning at 6:00 p.m. There will be no receiving of friends, but please feel free to join with family and friends after the service for light refreshments. A memory box with note cards will be available in the narthex and the family would appreciate guests take a moment to share a story or message about Faye.
In lieu of plants or flowers, Faye requested that donations be made to Alzheimer’s Tennessee, 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37919, or online at https://www.alztennessee.org/give/donate-now or Alcoa First United Methodist Church, 617 Gilbert Street, Alcoa, TN, 37701, or online at https://alcoafmc.com/giving/.
Faye’s life was a testament to faith, family, and hospitality freely given. She will be deeply missed, and her legacy of love will carry on in every gathering, every prayer, and every stranger welcomed as family.
Service will be live-streamed at the following link:
https://alcoafmc.com/