Shirley Ann Sadler

On November 14, 2019, at home with her family Shirley Sadler, 85, went home to her Lord. Shirley was born August 10, 1934, to Alexander and Grace Devore in Monongahela, Pennsylvania where she graduated high school, married and had 4 children. In 1957, at the age of 23 she became paralyzed from the waist down by Polio and spent the next two years away from her family at a rehabilitation center. Upon returning home to her husband and young children, she received a “Distinguished Citizen” award for overcoming her adversities and her determination to live a normal life.

In 1970, she moved with her family to Florida and has called Lakeland her home for the last 49 years. Shirley was a member of New Home Baptist Church for over 40 years where she devoted time preparing fellowship dinners and teaching Sunday school. She worked many years as a bookkeeper for Spoto’s Flowers, Met Drugs and Mike’s Appliance Repair.

She had a truly competitive spirit especially when it came to playing cards (Bridge), Jeopardy and crossword puzzles. She was known and admired for her tenacity and quick wit. All who knew her were touched by her warm and welcoming nature and to her family she was a role model of strength, courage, generosity and love.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 47 years Benjamin, brother Lawrence Devore, and granddaughter Jennifer Sampson. She is survived by sons Keith Sadler (Lora) of Perryopolis, PA. and Bruce Sadler of Lakeland, daughters Judy Whalen (Mike) and Bonnie Flynn (Harvey) both of Lakeland, sisters Nancy Wolf of Palm Beach, FL and Linda Morton of Lakeland as well as 7 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 2 p.m., on Monday, November 18, 2019, at Lakeland Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens.

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