Funeral services for Dr. Diane Lee Sadler are to be held Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 from Central Park, Livingston, Tennessee. Family and friends will be received 10:00-2:00 Wednesday, prior to the 2:00 pm service. Dr. Sadler passed away, Friday, October 9, following a brief illness. Interment will be in the Draper Memorial Cemetery, Gainesboro, TN. Mask and Social Distancing will be required, mask will be available.
In addition to her parents, the Honorable John Fowler Sadler and Mary Anderson Sadler, of Livingston. Dr. Sadler was proceeded in death by brothers Jerry Meadows Sadler and Kenneth Ray Sadler; brother-in-law, Dock Little.
Dr. Sadler is survived by devoted husband Waymon “Bruce” Hudgens of Livingston and former husband and dear friends, James Robbins and wife Denise Robbins of Monroe. Cherishing the memory of their beloved mother are Toni Robbins Brandt, and husband Brad, of Nashville and James Howard Robbins Junior, and wife Ginger of Cookeville. Additionally, Dr. Sadler is survived by stepson Tucker Hudgens and wife Kristen of Panama City, Florida. Dr. Sadler’s adoring grandchildren include granddaughters Ava Clare, Annalee Beck, and Amelia James Robbins of Cookeville and grandsons Hunter Lee and John Loyd Brandt of Nashville.
Surviving siblings include sisters; Gale Sadler Little and Nan Ola Sadler Stewart, both of Cookeville; brothers Dr. John Sadler of Bremerton, WA, David Sadler of Livingston and twin brother, Don Sadler of Melbourne Beach, Florida.
Surviving parents-in-laws are Gene and Elois Hudgens of Sparta Tennessee. Surviving siblings-in-law include Anita Sadler, Terri Sadler, Pam Sadler, Teresa Poindexter Sadler, Earl Ray Stewart, Joanne Pralle, Ralph and Diane Robbins, Mike and Denise Hudgens, Fred and Wendy Hudgens, and Kim and Glen Sims.
Dr. Sadler blessed the individual and collective lives of countless cousins, nieces, nephews, colleagues, students, and dear friends who celebrate her life.
A native Livingstonian, Dr. Sadler was a 1970 graduate of Livingston Academy. A career educator and academic administrator, she earned her BS, MA, and EDS from Tennessee Technological University. In 1989 Dr. Sadler earned her EDD from the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Sadler served as an adjunct professor at Tennessee Tech. Upon her retirement from a forty-year career, serving Overton County schools, Dr. Sadler was elected to the Overton County Board of Education – a position of public service held at the time of her passing.
A devout Christian, Dr. Sadler worshiped with Collegeside Church of Christ, Cookeville. Prior to such membership, Dr. Sadler was an active member of the Livingston Church of Christ for many years.
As a patriotic American and as an active community participant, Dr. Sadler memberships included: the Livingston Rotary Club, Livingston Downtown Revitalization Committee, Delta Kappa Gamma(Alpha Upsilon Chapter), and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Dr. Sadler was a member of the Tennessee Tech and the University of Tennessee Alumni Associations, respectively.
Known for her generous and most gracious hospitality, Dr. Sadler’s in-town historic residence was the venue of countless social and holiday festivities. Family and friends were always welcome.
Ever supportive, endlessly inspiring and always encouraging was the spirit of Diane Sadler. The consummate life coach and simultaneous cheerleader was she.
In lieu of flowers we would like to have donations sent to either
Mustard Seed Ranch at 4955 Kuykendall Road, Cookeville, Tenn. 38501 or Happy Haven at 2311 Wakefield Drive, Cookeville, Tenn. 38501 or Church of Christ Disaster Relief at PO Box 111180 Nashville, Tenn. 37222
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