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Mrs. Mildred Jackson Sadler, a trailblazing educator, community icon, and woman of virtuous character, with a lifetime of accomplishments, integrity, discipline, grace, and giftedness, departed this life, in her home, amidst loved ones, on Wednesday, March 15.
Mrs. Sadler leaves the following to cherish her memory and continue her legacy: Daughter, Brenda Sadler Friday (Ervin); Sons, Dr. Edward DeWitt Sadler Jr. (Thomasina); The Reverend John Frederick Sadler Sr. (Patricia), all of Gastonia, N.C.; Drs. Kenneth Marvin Sadler (Brenda), Lewisville, N.C.; The Reverend Dr. James Elvin Sadler (Stefanie), Matthews, N.C.; one brother, The Reverend Stellie J. Jackson (Mary R.), retired Presiding Elder of The A.M.E. Zion Church; two sisters; Cynthia Ann Hicks (The Reverend Granville Hicks, UMC, retired), Greenville, S.C.; Sarah Frances McKinney (Lewis) North Hills, Pennsylvania; Special God Sister, Ms. Lillian Pryor Williams and God Son, Dr. Jonathan D. Williams (Barbara) of Gastonia, N.C.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John I. Jackson and Effie Jackson Jackson; husband, Edward DeWitt Sadler Sr.; sisters, Elizabeth Henry and Rose Gallop; brother, The Reverend John I. Jackson, who is survived by his wife and Mrs. Sadler's sister-in-law, Theodora P. Jackson; and Grandson, Edward DeWitt Sadler, III (Trey); Grandmother of fifteen (15), Great-grandmother of fourteen (14); Great-great-grandmother of two (2); and a host of other relatives and friends.
A celebration of life for Mrs. Sadler will occur on Sunday, March 19, with a community visitation from 6 until 9 p.m. and a Worship Service of Celebration at 1 p.m. Monday, March 20, both occurring at St. Stephens A.M.E. Zion Church, 201 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28052. The body will lie in repose from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the church.
Burial will follow at Gaston Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that contributions be made to the Mildred J. Sadler Scholarship Fund, the Community Foundation of Gaston County, 1201 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054; or St. Stephens A.M.E. Zion Church, 201 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28052.
Costner Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
God brings special people into our lives. Mrs. Sadler was one of those special individuals that blessed this community. Rest in peace. You will be missed.
Stephanie Michael-Pickett
Friend
April 3, 2017
To a Mother of the community, and the leader of education for many of the children of Gastonia growing up I Sylvia Williams-Broome will always remember the love you showed me and my family in our time of loss and how she help me to learn how to grow up a better person in life, God got a true Angel that was on the battle field soldiering for his greatness and teaching of his love I thank you Mildred Sadler and I will remember and keep you in my heart forever.
Sylvia Williams-Broome
March 25, 2017
So sorry for your loss.May God continue to comfort you all. God Bless you all.
Sheila Davis
March 24, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Sadler's passing. I regret that I was unable to attend the services for such a dear lady. I always enjoyed speaking with her, and remember her fondly from the days when she would visit with my father, the late Isaac N. Wright, Jr. here in York. My sincerest condolences to the family...God bless and keep you all!
Bridget Wright White
March 21, 2017
We cannot help but be sorry about the death of Mrs. Sadler. However, no one lived a fuller, more productive life than she did. I am truly grateful for her role in helping my daughter-in-law to get started teaching at South West school. She is now retired after 30 years of teaching. Mrs. Sadler will be missed. She was truly an Icon in the community-a dignified and caring lady.
Martha Bryant Youngblood
March 21, 2017
To a wonderful Mother and friend to my family the Williams and great love to all the Sadler another soldier gone but never forgotten she will truly be missed but I Sylvia will remember the Leadership this great woman of God had and try to be a good follower of the many teaching she gave me and my sister when we were always growing up with in the York Street area and the many other children growing up there also much love from my heart.
March 21, 2017
All the candles in Heaven are lit for the arrival of Mrs. Sadler. Condolences to the family and may God lighten the burden of your sorrow. Mrs. Sadler was a lady of compassion and hope and change. She and the whole Sadler family are a blessing for the city of Gastonia. The tens of thousands of lives this family has helped is beyond belief. Bless each of you. Rejoice that Mrs. Sadler is NOT in pain anymore. RIP, Mrs. Mildred Sadler
James Millsaps
March 21, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family. May the hearer of prayer and comforter of hearts, be with you all throughout this most difficult time.
Matthew 21:22 -
Rhonda
March 21, 2017
Our sincere sympathy in your loss. May you find comfort in her strong faith and the legacy she leaves in the lives of Gaston County citizens.
Jimmy and Norma Jones
March 20, 2017
So Sorry for Your Loss, Although so little can be said at a time like this, hope you know that many thoughts are with you.
Carrie Lowery
March 20, 2017
So sad to hear of Mrs Mildred passing yet so happy for her to to be with our Lord and Savior.
My family, the Frederick's goes back to 1959 with the Sadler family. She and Mother, Bonnie Frederick, worked together at the hospital. I can remember Brenda and Mildred being in our home many times. Later, John and I were in class together at Wray. Then she was my assistant principal at Highland Jr. I later worked with her at the secondary center. Fast forward till I had children at Ashbrook and Ed was their principal. I always loved running into her out and about and we'd always enjoy talking about all this. The last time I saw her was at Jackson Cafeteria with Ed one Sunday after church. As always, she was as sweet and sharp as ever.
I'm very thankful for those good old times when my life was enriched from knowing this precious special lady and her children, as I know so many who feel the same way. She touched and changed many lives with her pioneering, but even more for just being the special lady she was. She will be missed by many but leaves behind a great legacy who continue in her footsteps.
My prayers, thoughts and love go out to all her family and friends!!!
Joanne Frederick Clubb Hayes
March 20, 2017
God's peace to you all. Love and blessings...
Tommie & Christina Thombs
March 20, 2017
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998
Yvonne B. Patton And Family
March 20, 2017
May God rest her soul now, what wonderful person she was. The best teacher I ever had. God bless the Sadler family, such good people.
David Bowden
March 19, 2017
TO ALL THE FAMILY AND LOVED ONES OF THIS WONDERFUL LADY, I SINCERELY OFFER MY CONDOLENCES. I KNEW HER THROUGHOUT MY SCHOOL YEARS AT HIGHLAND AS WELL AS BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS WITH ST STEPHENS CHURCH . SHE WILL TRULY BE MISSED.
KEN CARTER
March 19, 2017
Family,
Remember all the good times and understand she is healed and resting in peace. God chose his "Angel" to come home with him. She is waiting on each of you to join her one day. Ask Jesus and the Holy Spirit for guidance during these times.
Love
Stroman, Stroman-Jackson, Hardin, Caldwell & Floyd
March 19, 2017
So sorry for your loss of your loved one. She and her family have made Gastonia such a better place by what they have done for the community and we say "Thank you " for it.
Love, Mica and David Mills
Mica Mills
March 19, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Sadler. She always had a wonderful spirit, and she would speak to me as if I was part of her family. I will cherish her for being the pioneer that she was. The visits with her at the rehab center were so uplifting and inspiring. We were there to uplift her, but she in turned uplifted us. While sick still giving words of strength and encouragement. She talked with my Uncle Spencer, my daughter Trentcey and myself. She took us down memory lane. She had such a grace about her. She touched us during those visits that words cannot express. A true pioneer, a woman of integrity, full of wisdom and a love for humanity. I will miss her for no matter where she saw me she always called my name to get my attention.
To the family, she lived a beautiful life that you can be proud of her sweet spirit will always be with you. I pray God will give you peace and comfort.
DeBorah Wright and the Wright Family
Charlotte, NC
DeBorah Wright
March 19, 2017
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Lawrence & Mary Cromartie
March 18, 2017
Sending my most heartfelt condolences to the Sadler family.
Pamela Hamilton
Family Friend
March 17, 2017
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