Sara Jackson Willis

1921 - 2007  (86 years)

• Name	Sara Jackson Willis
  Birth	10 Sep 1921
  Gender	Female
  Death	16 Dec 2007	Johnson City, TN
  	RYDEN, SARA JACKSON WILLIS - 86, 1013 Oracle Ct. Johnson City, TN died Sunday Dec. 16, 2007 at Johnson City Medical Center following a brief illness. She was born in her family's home at Embreeville, Tennessee, a small village of homes of the executives of the Embree Iron Co. Dr. A.J. Willis, Sara's Dad, was physician to employees and families of the Embreeville Iron Co. Sara's mother, Belle Tyler Cloyd Willis was an accomplished pianist, teacher and homemaker. Sara attended Lamar High School from primary grade to graduation in 1939. Went on to Maryville College for two years and then to the University of Tennessee where she graduated in 1943. She was a Member of the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Kappa Delta national sorority at UT, now known as UTK. She married Gilbert Powell Ryden June 12, 1943, at her home, Slick Rock Farm, on the banks of the Nolichucky River, Washington County, Tennessee. She was Chapter Advisor for Kappa Delta at UTK and also on the Panhellenic Advisory Council. She was a former officer of the Knoxville Symphony Guild. Sara was also a former Trail Chairwomen for the Dogwood Arts Festival, a member of the President King's Daughter and the DAR and a member of Ossoli Circle of Knoxville. She was a long standing member of East Minister Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. She was preceded in death by her husband Gil, and is survived by two daughters; Martha R. Tubb, Cape Coral, FL and Amanda Ryden Smith, Charlottesville, VA, six grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Jonesborough, TN, 423-753-3821 is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the Ryden family online at: www.dillow-taylor.com
  Burial	Knox Co, TN
  	FindAGrave Memorial 169248374
  Person ID	I2900	RidingsHale
  Last Modified	22 Feb 2025

  
  

  Family	Gilbert Powell Ryden,   b. 18 Jul 1921, Washington Co, TN d. 3 Sep 1985 (Age 64 years)
  Marriage	12 Jun 1943	Washington Co, TN
  Children	1. Amanda Ryden,   b. Dec 1949   d. Yes, date unknown   2. Martha Ryden,   b. Nov 1952   d. Yes, date unknown
  Family ID	F934	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	30 Nov 2025