Obituary: Jeannette Sadler Griffith

Jeannette Sadler Griffith of Oakland, FL passed away on Sept. 14, 2017, at the age of 89. Jeannette was born in Orlando in 1928. She was the daughter of Frances and James Calvin Sadler and the granddaughter of James Hardy Jr. and Matilda Tilden Sadler.

The Sadler family was one of the pioneering families of the towns of Tildenville and Oakland. Jeannette was proud of her heritage, including her great-great-grandfather, Judge James Gamble Speer, who among many other notable achievements contributed to the naming of Orlando and founded Oakland Presbyterian Church, where Jeannette has attended her entire life.

Jeannette attended Tildenville Elementary and graduated from Lakeview High School in 1946, where she met Robert Joseph Griffith (Bobby Joe), whom she married in 1949.

Jeannette was a devoted mother to three boys, attending and cheering at all their sporting activities. This support and love for her family carried on as she cheered for her grandchildren and, most recently, her great-grandchildren.

An active member of Oakland Presbyterian Church, she and Bobby Joe served as directors of Youth Fellowship for many years; and in past years she was a member of the sewing group. She enjoyed traveling, documenting each trip in detailed photo albums and scrapbooks. Her favorite pastime was genealogy. She researched and documented her family history, tracing their lineage back into the 17th century.

Her favorite place to spend time was in her flower garden of their North Carolina cabin. She enjoyed her monthly lunches with her high school classmates as recent as last month.

Jeannette was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Bobby Joe, and her son, Randy. She is survived by her sons, Craig (Gayle), Sebring, Florida, and Mark (Arden), Windermere, Florida; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, at Oakland Presbyterian Church, 218 East Oakland Ave., Oakland, FL 34760; (407) 656-4452.

A graveside service will be held at Oakland Cemetery on the same day at 1 p.m. for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift can be made to Oakland Presbyterian Church. Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home is assisting the family.