Sara Sadler Turnipseed

Sara Sadler Turnipseed of Decatur, Georgia, died November 29, 2013, at age 65. Sara was born at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Hospital, New York, to Rufus and Mary Sadler and was the eldest of their five girls. She grew up in Clinton, South Carolina. Sara graduated from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. She then attended the University of South Carolina School of Law where she met the love of her life, William (Bill) Elliott Turnipseed. In 1974, they married and moved to Decatur. Sara and Bill have three daughters, Mary Parker, Nancy Sadler, and Kathleen (Cassie) Sadler. They travelled widely together and especially loved their time at Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Sara's law career began at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where, at the age of 31, she was named Chief Legal Officer for Region IV. Later, as Associate General Counsel at Georgia-Pacific Corporation, she spearheaded the company's litigation and environmental practice. Most recently she was an equity partner with Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, where she served on the firm's Executive Committee. Sara dedicated her career to ensuring that women lawyers were hired, promoted, and became equity partners. In 2009, Sara was awarded the Kathleen Kessler award by the Georgia Association of Women lawyers in recognition of her dedication to service in the legal community. As a result of her efforts to promote diversity in the State Bar of Georgia, in 2010 she was awarded the Randolph Thrower Lifetime Achievement Award. Sara was also admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court and the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, and she was a fellow with the Litigation Counsel of America. Sara contributed to the greater good of the local community. Over the years, she has served on the boards of the Atlanta Urban League, Decatur Education Foundation, Georgia Academy of Children and Youth Professionals, and the Spina Bifida Association of Georgia. She also served as Chair of the City Schools of Decatur School Board from 1998-1999. Sara was also an ardent supporter of national, state, and local Democratic politics. Sara is survived by her beloved husband, Bill, daughters, Mary, Nancy, and Cassie (Brendan), her sisters, Julia Sadler McCrae, Jinki Sadler Suber (Andy), Nancy Sadler (Mac Mitchell), and Dr. Patsy Sadler (Walter Hughes), brother-in-law John Turnipseed (Lou), Bill's cousin, Ann Turnipseed, and many nieces and nephews and their families. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation to the Spina Bifida Association of Georgia or www.readyforhillary.com. A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on Monday, December 2, 2013 at Decatur Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow. A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033