Sarada (Gillespie) Loudermilk

Sarada Loudermilk, 86, of Waco, passed away on August 17, 2023. A visitation will be at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel from 6-8 PM on Monday, August 21, 2023. The funeral service will be held at Highland Baptist Church on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Cemetery.

Sarada was born November 13, 1936, in Handley, TX, to Sarah and Victor Gillespie. She was the second child of four and the only daughter. She attended primary schools in Handley, TX, and Marfa, TX, graduating from high school in Fort Worth in 1955. After graduating, she attended Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado. She married in 1961 and had four children, Shamayne, Allyson, Cara, and Terence. In 1970, she moved as a single mom with her four children to Alpine, TX, and then to San Angelo.

It was there she met the love of her life, James Loudermilk. They married in March 1976. They blended their families with Sarada’s children and James’ son, Greg. In 1978, they welcomed a daughter, Christin, to the brood. They lived happily with their kids in San Angelo, attending church and building businesses together.

Their strong devotion to each other was only outmatched by their devotion to the Lord. Feeling called to minister to people in their last years, James and Sarada focused their efforts on building nursing homes and retirement centers. Sarada’s keen eye for interior design made these facilities inviting and sought-after spaces where the residents could live out their days with dignity. They used her gift of music and his love of the Word to hold Sunday services in their nursing homes. James would preach the sermon and Sarada would play the piano and sing worship songs to the enjoyment of the residents each Sunday.

In 1985, she and James moved with Christin to Waco, TX, to build a new facility, Ridgecrest Retirement Center. They were blessed with very strong friendships in Waco through church communities at Highland Baptist and Antioch Community Church. Sarada extremely cherished these lasting friendships.

She and James had a social life that was more active than most teenagers. Numerous snow skiing trips, water skiing outings, family reunions, graduations, weddings, and birthdays kept her very busy. Sarada loved hosting these events, making everyone feel welcomed and cared for. Not only was she the ultimate hostess, she catalyzed laughter with her unexpected and quick wit. She and James also traveled the world together.

Sarada lost her eyesight in 2018 which was traumatic for her and her family. She persevered with the most positive attitude, the likes of which astounded her friends and family. Despite this challenge, she and James spent each morning praying for every member of their family. Her faith in and relationship with Jesus was the most important thing in her life. Second in importance, she always wanted to be by James’s side.

Sarada was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Vincent and Kingsley. Survivors include her devoted husband of 47 years, James, and her six children, Shamayne Kotfas (Craig), Ally Woolley (Audie), Cara Boyd (Lisa Daly), Greg Loudermilk (Arisbet), Terence Boyd, and Christin Loudermilk. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Sydney Argall (Stephen Villegas), Nathan Argall, Daniel Argall, Adam Woolley (Caroline), Alex Woolley (Sam Hughes), Jake Wolley (Allison), Emme Woolley, DeWayne Loudermilk (Emily), Myrtis Loudermilk, Talia Boyd, Denee Boyd (Blake Griffin), Dalton Boyd (Vicki Valderamma), Jonathan Lara, Sarah Daly, Steven Daly (Emma), Audrey Daly (Megan Smith) and five great-grandchildren: Emerson Argall, Joaquin Sangunetti-Argall, Jude Villegas Argall, Miller Woolley, and Maggie Lee Woolley. Other survivors include her younger brother Dean Gillespie, her sister-in-law Susie Coffey (Charley), brother–in–law Joe Loudermilk (Betty) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers are her grandsons:  Nathan Argall, Daniel Argall, Adam Woolley, Alex Woolley, Jake Woolley, DeWayne Loudermilk, Dalton Boyd, Jonathan Lara

Honorary pallbearers are: Steven Daly, Victor Gillespie, Marshall Gillespie

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Sherrie Eyth for incredible friendship, care and assistance to our mom and dad. Sherrie meant the world to Sarada.

A guestbook is offered at www.gracegardensfuneralhome.com where you may leave your condolences or a fond memory of Sarada.

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