Mary Euin (Smith) Sandefer

Mary Euin Smith Sandefer, age 98, resident of Somerville, formerly of Martin, Tennessee and wife of Russell Deward Sandefer, departed this life Saturday, September 19th, 2015 at SomerOak Senior Living Community in Somerville.

Services of Remembrance for Mrs. Sandefer were conducted at 2 P.M. Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. Randy Cooper of First United Methodist Church in Martin officiating. Rev. William M. Vaughan, Jr. and John “J.R.” Sandefer shared remarks, scriptures and prayers. Interment followed at 2:30 P.M. on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 in the Gardner Cemetery in Martin. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center – West Chapel at Oakland.

Mrs. Sandefer was born November 21, 1916 in Gardner, Tennessee, located west of Martin. She was the daughter of Finis Euin Smith and Julia Allyne Mays. She was married September 9, 1939 to Russell Deward Sandefer, who survives. Mr. and Mrs. Sandefer just celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary. She was the secretary to the Dean of the School of Agriculture and bookkeeper for the Agriculture Experiment Station at the University of Tennessee at Martin from 1957 until her retirement in 1982. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Martin since 1934.

In addition to her husband Russell Deward Sandefer of 76 years, currently residing at SomerOak, Mrs. Sandefer is survived by her daughter, Julia Deweese of Lakeland; son John “J.R” Sandefer (Susan) of Hickory Withe; granddaughters, Angela Patterson of Memphis and Melinda Dillard (Stephen) of Memphis; great grandchildren; Shay Garrett, Wade Garrett, Kaylie Dillard and great-great granddaughter, Madison Garrett. She is also survived by her sister, Allyne Wright of Union City. Mrs. Sandefer also leaves her very special and much loved private duty caregiver, Lakeisha “Tish” Jones of Eads as well as Sandra Palmer and her wonderful care giving staff at SomerOak, all of which made Mrs. Sandefer’s last few years a blessing.

Those honored to serve as honorary pallbearers were Stephen Dillard, Wade Garrett, Keith Jones, Josh Richardson, David Spencer, David Vowell and Richard Vowell.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 225 Main Street, Martin, TN 38237.