Delia Ann Sadler, a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and beloved friend, died on July 24. She was 84.

Delia was born to John Gordon Selby and Beatrice Waldron Selby on Christmas Day in 1938 at home in the small community of Thebes, Arkansas. She had three siblings and two half-siblings.

Her sister Glenda was born less than two years after Delia, and the two were inseparable for Delias entire life. One of the last trips Delia took outside of Louisiana was to visit Glenda in her Michigan home.

In high school, Delia met Gerald Sadler, and the two wed in 1957. Tom, their firstborn, was born in December 1959, and Michael came soon after in October 1962.

After they were married, Delia joined Gerald in Oklahoma where he was stationed with the Air Force. After Geralds discharge, the couple moved back to Portland, Arkansas to work with Geralds dad on his farm. In 1963, the two moved to Louisiana, where Gerald continued farming. They remained in Franklin Parish for the rest of Delias life.

Delia was seldom happier than when her family or loved ones were in her home. When the two lived in Wisner, her home was the afternoon social hub for her group of friends, and ladies could be found laughing in her kitchen every afternoon.

Later in life, Delia and Gerald operated gas stations in both Winnsboro and Wisner. Their granddaughter Courtneys first job was behind the counter, and their grandson John was often found raiding the candy aisle (to exactly zero protest from Delia). To the babies in the family, she never used the word "no."

Her hot water cornbread, fried green tomatoes, fried squirrel (which she cooked almost professionally, but would not eat), venison, collard greens and catfish a list nowhere near comprehensive were special beyond reckoning. Her love, visible in all aspects of her life, was especially clear around the dinner table. She tended her vegetable garden diligently, and the greens on her table were very often its product.

She loved mystery and suspense novels, Danielle Steel books, Yahtzee, Barbra Streisand, crossword puzzles, her flower beds and all animals especially cats. Delia adopted her final cat only months before she passed.

She was a woman who deeply treasured her family and friends, and who welcomed many into her life as chosen family. She was incapable of quitting on people, and was the rock of many loved ones. She loved deeply and without reservation, and was a wonderful figure for generations of Sadlers, Selbys, Dougets and others. Every person touched by her life is left better for having known her.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Gerald Sadler; her two sons, Tom (Mary Ann) and Mike Sadler; siblings Glenda Sanderlin (Pete) and John Gordon Selby, Jr. (Liz); half-siblings Paul and Keith Selby; granddaughters Courtney Douget (Phillip) and Beth Ann Hart; grandsons John Sadler (Amber Garrett) and Jack Hart; niece Callie McManus and her children Connor and John David Malta; and great-grandchildren Sophie and Max Douget.

Memorial services will be 11 AM Friday, July 28, 2023, in the chapel of Dennard First National Funeral Home with Rev. Fran Guy officiating. Visitation will be 10 AM until time of service at the funeral home.

At the request of the family in lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Franklin Parish Library.

Dennard First National Funeral Home

Dennard First National Funeral Home