Teddie Leah Sandifer

Teddie Leah Sandifer, of Searcy, passed away on September 14, 2025, at Unity Health in Searcy. She was born April 25, 1937, in Sidney, Arkansas to the late Phillip Glen and Drinon Wright Smith. Ms. Sandifer graduated from Sidney High School in Sidney, AR. Graduated with her BSE and MSE degrees from UCA in Conway. She taught Special Education classes at Beebe, then worked with Cabot Schools as the LEA (Local Education Administration) Supervisor until she retired. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Joe Sandifer, a son Douglas Whitener, and a sister Glenna Dean Smith, age 2. She is survived by three daughters, Sheila Jennings (Bart) of Searcy, Dixie Bryant (Ricky) of St. Louis, MO, Nancy Duren (Randy) of Benton; eight grandchildren, Clint Fulks (Hannah) of Benton, Shawn Romine (Heather) of Greenbrier, Colby Jennings (Meg) of Searcy, Trisha Jennings, Douglas Whitener (Ashley), Casey Whitener, Brianna Whitener, and Christie Hensley (Mitch) of Conway; thirteen great-grandchildren (14 in December), and three great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Gayra Smith of Washington; one brother, Mike Smith of Perryville, AR. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, beginning at 1:00pm, at Powell Funeral Home in Searcy. Memorial services will follow, beginning at 2:00pm. Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net