She was the sixth and last child. Five of her siblings survived. Most of Sadie's care and nurture was the responsibility of her oldest sister, Roberta, known as Berta. Berta postponed her own marriage until Sadie entered school. There was a great and loving bond between Sadie and Berta and two of Berta's children, Elizabeth and Everett.
Sadie was the only female child to be offered higher education. She attended Woman's College at Greensboro and then transferred to Peace College in Raleigh. She did not finish her education at Peace but chose to marry, August 29, 1922. She enjoyed her time at Peace and financially supported the institution throughout her lifetime.
She was intrepid leaving her family and friends to move 700 miles away in what was essentially a foreign country.
At school her major was Home Economics. She was a very good cook and an excellent baker. Food and its preparation and serving was most important. Preparing food was time-consuming and laborious. Fresh green vegetables had to be served and consumed at every dinner. Prior to air-conditioning in brutal summer heat she canned and made jelly. Watermelon-rind pickles was a specialty. Originally watermelon had a thick rind suitable for pickling.
She was a terrific driver. She had been taught by one of her many boyfriends. When her father purchased his first car he had Sadie teach him to drive.
During the Second World War she was a volunteer driver for the Red Cross. I believe she mainly picked up and delivered blood between local hospitals. The Red Cross gave her a commendation at the end of the war.
Approximately 1947, having left my father working in California, Sadie, as the only driver, Joan and Barbara set off to drive back to the east coast. We took the southern route. In Texas we crossed the border and drove down through the mountains to Mexico City and then back. None spoke Spanish.
She sorely regretted not being able to drive the last year of her life and the loss of that freedom and independence.
Sadie loved, loved, loved to shop and she also loved a bargain. Nevertheless, she only wanted quality merchandise.
She took great pride in her dress and appearance. St. John knits and Ferragamo shoes were her signature look.
She considered a skirt the look of a lady and managed to dress herself right up until her last hospitalization. At age 92 this was an effort. Her comment was, "I never lowered my standards."
She had a large collection of sterling silver pieces. She used and enjoyed her possessions.
Cars and trains were the modes of transportation. She had never been in an airplane the first 60 years of her life.
In 1961 for her very first flight she flew alone to Hong Kong to join her nephew, Everett at a convention for Interior Decorators.
Afterwards she took a number of international trips with other widows. She also flew to Texas to Joan and Alan and at least once alone to North Carolina.
Sadie and Bobby were excellent bridge players. After his death this was the central part of her social life. She and three other widows celebrated New Year's Eve together with bridge, champaign and goodies.
Sadie loved flowers and transferred many plants from her mother's garden to New Jersey.
She also loved dogs. Originally she had white collies. Eventually there was a cocker spaniel, a beagle, and a pointer.
Sadie was a strong, brave lady who did it "her way" and mostly alone.