Sadie M Rackley's Obituary
Sadie Mae Arnold Rackley was born on October 21, 1933 to the union of the late Perman Arnold Sr. and Caroline Payne Arnold in Tallahassee, Florida. She was one of 11 children and attended public school in Leon County, Florida. At a young age, Sadie accepted the invitation to give her life to Christ and to follow Him as her Lord and Savior.
In 1951, Robert Lee Rackley (who preceded her in death) caught the eye of a young Sadie Mae while she was visiting his brother, Lonnie’s store. Later that year, in Florida, the couple united in marriage and soon after they were blessed with the first three children of the family. In 1955 their young family of five followed Sadie Mae’s brothers and sisters and moved west to San Diego, California. After moving to San Diego, they welcomed another five children to the Rackley family for a total of eight wonderful offspring.
Sadie Mae loved her family and was a faithful wife and devoted mother. She worked as a Domestic Service Provider cleaning homes all across San Diego County. In 1965 she found permanent employment with the North Island Navy Exchange working her way up the ranks to become a Chef for 25 years before retiring. As a devoted wife, Sadie Mae supported the many entrepreneurial endeavors of her husband, including Robert’s construction company and cooking for the family’s restaurant. Sadie Mae’s culinary skills were unmatched. In addition to notoriety from friends and family, she often received recognition from the Navy Exchange for her exemplary skills as a talented and experienced Chef.
Sadie Mae was a mother and grandmother to many. She firmly believed in providing care and support to all in need, especially children. Prior to her retirement, Sadie Mae became a foster parent. Since 1991, she considered it an honor and a privilege to have fostered more than nine youth, some of whom have remained a permanent part of the Rackley family to date. This is one of her proudest accomplishments.
As an active member of the Southeastern San Diego community, Sadie Mae was a tireless servant-volunteer in her community. She dedicated her time, talents, and treasure through many leadership roles, including the Valencia Park Neighborhood Council, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center Board, and as a volunteer at the San Diego County Food Bank. She received numerous awards from the various schools her children attended, acknowledging her outstanding service as an active and engaged parent.
The legacy of Sadie Mae Arnold included a long and full life surrounded by family and cherished friends. She was known as a woman of humility and service and therefore able to bless and touch countless lives. She recently celebrated her 90th Birthday in October before gaining her eternal wings on November 9, 2023. Like her entire life, in death she was surrounded by the ever-present love of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Several family members preceded Sadie Mae in death; her beloved eldest daughter, Carrie Ann Rackley; sons-in-law Thomas Porter and Stephen Austin; daughter-in-law Sandra Rackley; sons, Robert Alonzo Rackley and Bobby D. Rackley; each of her siblings, and her precious parents.
Sadie Mae Arnold Rackley leaves to cherish her memory, her children; Martha Howell, Perman Rackley (Linda), Bernard Rackley (Charleen), Catherine Kennedy, Tina S. Porter Rackley, Stephanie Austin, Shaunielle Street; her beloved foster children, Kimberly Steele, and Vanessa Brown; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, countless friends, and loved ones.
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